Gael and Jazmín Share Their Stories at a Community Gathering to Raise Over $12,000

“La lucha no ha sido fácil para los miembros, pero creo que lo más importante es que gracias a la unión, la perseverancia se han logrado una variedad de objetivos, que mantienen a las familias de la comunidad a adquirir una vivienda digna y asequible para todos (1),” shared Gael.

Gael and Jazmín, integral members of the Sky Without Limits Cooperative (SWL), shared their stories at a fundraiser last month. The fundraiser, hosted by community member Nell Shaefer, raised $2000 with a pledge of $10,000 to go toward purchasing SWL from the Land Bank Twin Cities. 

Jazmín, who was involved in the struggle from the beginning, shared her experiences marching in the streets through the cold and heat, going to court against Steve Frenz, and hosting actions at Frenz’s church and in front of his house. “Mucho tiempo, muchos días estuvimos de lucha con todos mis compañeros que viven en los cinco edificios (2).” 

Jazmín shared what it was like to stand outside her landlord Steve Frenz’s house, calling on him to end his eviction orders. Frenz had delivered eviction orders to SWL tenants in retaliation for residents like Jazmín exercising their legal rights, including requesting repairs.

“Todo el mundo pagaba su renta puntual. Empezamos a luchar porque los edificios estaban mal, las alfombras, las ventanas, en temporada de nieve entraba mucha nieve así aire frío, cucarachas, ratones, muy mal estado los apartamentos (3).” 

Now, Jazmín hopes that the Cooperative continues to grow. “Quiero que haya una guardería para los niños, hacer parque para niños, y un negocio (4).” 

Members like Jazmín and Gael are now in the process of fully owning the Cooperative, but they need your help to purchase SWL from the Land Bank Twin Cities. Says Gael, “Gracias a su contribución, la cooperativa se fortalece y permanece buscando el bienestar y vivienda digna para todos (5).” 

Contributions can be made online or checks can be sent to: 

Inquilinxs Unidxs por Justicia

3715 Chicago Ave

Minneapolis, MN 55407

Make checks payable to Inquilinxs Unidxs por Justicia with “Sky Without Limits” on the memo line.

Thank you so much for your support of the Sky Without Limits Housing Cooperative! If you have any questions or would like more information about the project, please contact Yariet Montes Huerta at yariet@inquilinxsunidxs.org.

  1. The fight hasn’t been easy for our members, but I think the most important thing is that thanks to our unity and perseverance, we’ve achieved many of our objectives, ensuring families of our community acquire dignified and accessible housing for all. 

  2. Lots of time, many days we struggled together as neighbors living in the 5 buildings. 

  3. All of us paid our rent on time. We started our fight because the buildings were in bad condition, the carpets, the windows, in the winter there was lots of snow that entered and made it cold, cockroaches, rats, the apartments were in such bad condition.

  4. I want there to be a childcare center for the kids, parks for the kids, and a business. 

  5. Thanks to your contribution, we will strengthen the cooperative so we can continue looking out for the well-being and dignified housing of all. 

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