For weeks after the tornado hit, volunteer efforts were directed to door-knocking to make sure our neighbors were connected to the resources they needed. When Jill, one of the volunteers, knocked on a door near 3900 Dupont, she met Reggie Stevens.  He greeted her and began crying as he shared, “God answered my prayer…”

Jill listened as Reggie explained that although he and his wife had worked all of their lives, money was tight. Their children and eight grandchildren were relying on them for financial support and he and his wife were doing the best that they could to navigate through the complexities of supporting them.  It wasn’t long before they found themselves in a situation where they had to decide whether to spend the money they did have to put food on the table or pay for homeowners insurance.  They chose groceries.  So, when the tornado tore through Reggie’s block, and took a part of his roof with it, they were devastated.  On top of that, Reggie was injured and forced to take unpaid time off of work.  He didn’t know how he was going to make the repairs needed to his home while remaining afloat financially. 

Through tears of relief, Reggie finished the story by telling Jill, “God answered my prayers two days ago by sending Urban Homeworks to take care of the roof!”  

An overwhelming number of partner churches, individuals, organizations and corporations came together after the tornado and made it possible for us to knock on Reggie’s door and be the resource he needed.  The tornado may have exposed some vulnerability in north Minneapolis, but it also revealed the communal strength and solidarity that exists on the north side and beyond.  Two years later, we are committed to building on that strength.  

For more on tornado relief, click here.