\ \ \ Where we are

\ SPACE

Lion’s Ink started as a renovated duplex with residential and community space. The upstairs unit of our duplex provides safe and affordable housing for up to 5 young men from the neighborhood who are committed to actively participating in the pursuit of personal growth and economic stability. Currently, two young men live there—one is away at college.

A big shift for Lion’s Ink in Spring 2021 is the decision to move our community gathering space from a residential to commercial setting. This allows for a new male mentor to move into the downstairs unit of the duplex. We will also have more freedom in the number of hours we can share the space and opens opportunities for a new venture of ours, Lion’s Fire.

\ GROWTH

Since 2018, Lion’s Ink has grown from our original duplex with community space to include three homes for Lion’s Ink family members.

On September 16, 2018, Chris and I sat in the back room of our duplex and listened through a hallway door to the sounds of the community room full of young men and women from the neighborhood. Organized by one of the young men living upstairs, the group had prepared and shared breakfast in the common space. They did this every other week for a time in the summer and fall. 

It sounded like the hope that freedom brings. Their morning, their space, their community together, with dignity and creativity.  Being, laughing, loving. 

As Chris and I sat on the couch listening to joyful sounds in the community room, we talked about what deep and lasting good could grow if the young men and women we knew had spaces of their own to grow, plant dreams, build a core community of shared hope and commitment to the common good. We believed they could gain a stability that could be passed through generations and flourish here. Our dream was to help 10 families (people we love and trust) own 10 homes within 10 blocks of our duplex in the next 10 years.  We loved the idea, but agreed 2018 was not the proper time: we lacked the resources and energy to make it happen.

 With Chris’ unexpected passing in October 2018, everything changed. And Lion's Ink changed with it. We began moving toward this next step of facilitating stability and empowering a new generation of families to flourish in North Minneapolis. In response, many others have joined our effort.

In 2019 the generosity of donors enabled us to purchase two new homes - 1 right next door and one several blocks away in the neighborhood. These houses offer young families safe and affordable housing while they:

• Partner with mentors,

• Learn the responsibilities of home ownership,

• Grow in financial literacy & pay off debt, and

• Save for a down payment to purchase a home of their own