A growing network of community-led groups and outreach organizations are continuing to support unhoused residents transitioning into stable living conditions, while city, county and state governments are falling short.
By NENOOKAASI COALITION
Fires broke out at two Southside Minneapolis encampments within minutes of each other on January 6, 2025. On a day with below freezing temperatures, over 230 residents of these encampments were left searching for shelter after police cleared the camps.
According to Christin Crabtree, a local organizer who was assisting the response efforts, “at one camp residents were able to put out the fire and police subsequently evicted them. The fire destroyed the other camp and police evicted residents, letting only a few retrieve their belongings. In both cases, outreach and neighbors were prevented by MPD from helping our neighbors move and salvage what little they own.”
A resident who asked to be identified as L stated, “This isn’t the first time that multiple fires broke out around the same time and we were forced to move again. We have been facing constant harassment from strangers who want to do us harm. The source of the fires should really be looked into.” Several organizations provided meals, transportation, warming supplies and other resources, however it proved to still be insufficient given the scale of the need.… Read the rest “Unhoused Residents and Housed Neighbors Respond to Multiple Encampment Fires Amidst Chronic Shortage of Safe Places to Seek Shelter”
This piece first appeared in The Southerner, a student-written and student-produced newspaper at South High School in Minneapolis. The Southerner can be found online at www.shsoutherner.net.
By LO NORVELL
Courtesy Ahmed Amin
After years of tumultuous principal turnover, South has found its newest leader, Ahmed Amin, stepping up to the role. Having attended a Minneapolis Public School himself, Amin has been a part of the MPS community for years. Amin is ready to help improve South, the summit, with contagious hope for what South can become.
Amin moved to South Minneapolis when he was 12 along with his 5 siblings, one of which is a South graduate. While originally from Somalia, Amin spent part of his childhood in Ethiopia. Amin never had any formal education before coming to the United States. He speaks to the impact his father had on him and his siblings, emphasizing how he was a positive role model who lived his beliefs and principles. “My dad was never concerned about having more…It always seems like the people who have the least, give the most.” Growing up Amin’s family didn’t have a lot, as he lived in a shelter with his siblings for a period of time.… Read the rest “Meet Ahmed Amin, South High School’s New Principal”
