Meet the New Homeowners! (Yes, ALL of Them)

A few weeks ago, I met some of the folks who will be new homeowners in and around the EcoVillage thanks to Habitat for Humanity.  They were amazing people and we'll be blessed to have them in our community.  Then, last week, I received paper copies of the neighbors' profiles and stories.  Today, I learned they were posted on the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity website.

Halima Abdi, Abdul Wali, and family

For Halima Abdi and Abu Wali, life is about balance. With three energetic young boys and their teenage niece at home, it can be hard for these working parents to find time for their own careers. And for the next few months...(click here for the rest of their story)

Hamza Ahmed, Abdulazize Hamza & family

A room, no larger than a small office, houses four mats, four pillows, and a TV on a stand. Abdulazize, his father Hamza and two younger brothers share these four walls, which hold all of their possessions. “It’s a room to sleep,” Abdulazize says. The family of four, all boys...(click here for the rest of their story)

Drakeima Ingram, Robbie Loyde Jr., and family

Drakeima Ingram moved her family from Chicago to Minneapolis in 1995, hoping to find a better life. Since then, they have been at the mercy of bad landlords, dealing with...(click here for the rest of their story)

Nina Kimmons and family

When Nina heard that she had been selected for a Habitat home, she shouted with joy and then fell silent, stunned by the good news. As she hung up the phone, Nina’s children stared at her in surprise. “Mom,” they asked, “Are you okay?” (click here for the rest of her story)

Melo Lawson and family

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Melo Lawson and her family are an incredible reminder of these powerful words. Since coming to the United States from Togo in 2003, (click here for the rest of their story)

Donjia McDonald

Born and raised in the Twin Cities, Donjia McDonald is a friendly, busy, and proud mother of three. She currently works as an overnight counselor at a group home. She had worked at a bank for four years, but she lost that job when the recession deepened...(click here for the rest of her story)

Kitessa Nigere, Ebise Bayisa, and family

By the time their home in North Minneapolis is ready, Kitessa and Ebise’s family of three will become four. Kitessa and Ebise, both from Ethiopia, are expecting a second child at the end of July. For this young and growing family...(click here for the rest of their story)

Just reading these stories and finding out about the new residents we'll have in Hawthorne gives me goosebumps.  I never imagined that we'd be adding this many people to the EcoVillage and surrounding blocks all at once.  Now, if you're like me, you're probably wondering, "How do I volunteer during the first week of October for this completely transformative event?"  (That IS what you're wondering, right?  RIGHT?!)

Well, I'm glad you asked.  Click here to sign up for various tasks; we still need plenty of help.  Or you can email Andy Barnett or Trista Matacastillo.

Once again, thanks a million to Habitat and President Carter, and to all of our new residents, welcome to the neighborhood!