Mayor Frey Declares April 23 “Red Lake Nation and Avivo Ending Homelessness Day in Minneapolis”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has declared Tuesday, April 23, to be “Red Lake Nation & Avivo Ending Homelessness Day in the City of Minneapolis.”

This proclamation from Mayor Frey comes after Avivo successfully housed the first 103 individuals from the Wall of Forgotten Natives homeless encampment and Navigation Center. Last October, Avivo and Red Lake set an ambitious goal, to house 100 individuals in six months or less. That goal was met thanks to the hard work of Avivo staff, Red Lake staff, partner landlords, and our government and nonprofit housing partners.

Today Avivo, along with members of the Red Lake Nation and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, celebrate the accomplishment.

“Avivo helped me get better” says Melissa, a Red Lake Tribe member and Avivo housing participant. ”With my place, I am healing. I am always in good spirits. I feel well, and everything is good.”

“Avivo helped me get better” says Melissa, a Red Lake Tribe member and Avivo housing participant. ”With my place, I am healing. I am always in good spirits. I feel well, and everything is good.”

Melissa found housing in October, and was one of the first people Avivo housed as part of the partnership between Avivo and Red Lake. She’d lived at the encampment since a family tragedy last summer, and had resorted to drinking to self-medicate. She says that ever since Avivo staff handed her keys to her apartment, she’s stopped drinking and started living a more stable life.

Red Lake and Avivo recognize that housing 100 people in under six months is an accomplishment to be celebrated, but know that there’s more to be done.

“There are still people living at the Navigation Center,” says Kelly Matter, Avivo’s President and CEO. “With the support of generous funders and Red Lake, we’re committed to housing the remaining 90 or more people from the Navigation Center.”

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