We are a group of community members who saw the urgent need for monetary support in the Stevens Square and Loring Heights neighborhood so we decided to come together to raise funds for those affected by the ongoing attacks by our current administration during this federal occupation of our city.

We live in a small, but densely populated slice of Minneapolis, and with over 4,000 residents in the area we know there are many in need of help. Our goal is to raise as much as we can to help as many people as we're able. It's heartbreaking to know so many people are scared to leave their homes out of fear of being detained and this reality is affecting families, small businesses, schools, and so much more.

Who will this money be going to?

All funds will go to those in need of assistance who live in the Steven's Square and Loring Heights neighborhood. The funds will be given to anyone whose income or ability to work are affected by the federal occupation. Our focus is to help residents of the Steven's Square and Loring Heights area, but we are open to supporting those in surrounding areas so long as those who live here have received the support they need.

How are the funds being used?

Although our focus is rent relief the following are some examples of what the funds can also be used for:

What is your process like?

Luckily, a handful of folks have stepped up to fulfill different roles to be able to make this happen! We have a team that connects with our neighbors who need this support and connect them with the folks running the gofundme! They only share their identifying information with one person who coordinates the money transfers, which will not include any private information so as to keep our neighbors as anonymous as possible.

How do you connect with and find out about the people these funds will go to?

Word of mouth! Our networks stretch far and wide, but we make sure only trusted neighbors are communicating with those in need. Our number #1 priority is to keep our neighbors as safe as we can.

Final words:

To see the way our community has come together has been an incredible thing to witness and experience during these really really difficult times. We're constantly seeing neighbors, many who have just recently met, show up for each other with genuine care, and we're so grateful to live in such a great neighborhood (and city).

It can be hard to know what to do, whether you're near or far, when witnessing and experiencing the horrors that have taken over our streets because this isn't a reality most of us imagined. Showing care, and doing what you're able to do, whether it's making neighbors meals, donating money, being on the front lines, sharing links, holding space for loved ones, making calls, and so so so many more things may not feel like enough but it adds to the bucket we're all pitching into, so every effort truly makes a difference.

We deeply appreciate every donation, every link share, and every effort you make to support all of us in Minneapolis. We've really been going through a very hard time and the residents of Steven's Square and Loring Heights greatly appreciate any and all support.

with love and rage,

Steven's Square community members