Young Professionals Share a Cold Brew and Warm Conversation

Guest Blog by Krisi Johnson, 
HYPN Committee Member 

Thick rubber snow boots, parkas and mittens do not often make up the attire of working
professionals in most of the country, but in Minneapolis, neither snow nor icy roads will keep
young professionals away from happy hour at a brewery in January.

Darkly lit, with the scent of grilled cheese and aioli covered fries wafting through NorthGate
Brewing, clusters of people are engaged in conversations centered around the typical topics of
young professionals. Ball games and the weather are key parts of each discussion, but the new
thread is unique to this group of individuals, as it is centers around a purpose reaching beyond
the boardroom.

Groups of two and three talk about housing, and not the state of the market, but of the various
programs happening through Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity around the city to bring affordable homes to all people. It is inspiring to hear and see a group passionate and curious about homes for all.

Beer alone is a great reason to gather after work, but it is the animated parka-clad woman speaking about working on a housing project in Coast Rica that catches the attention of a table
of onlookers.

Twin Cities Habitat's Young Professionals Network (HYPN) hosts happy hours to raise awareness of Twin Cities Habitat’s programs like homebuilding and A Brush with Kindness. HYPN also hosts happy hours to bring together like-minded individuals interested in networking and developing leadership skills.

Northgate is the first of many happy hours this year hosted by HYPN. The group aims to provide individuals in their early twenties to forties a space to network and work toward the goal of building a Twin Cities where everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home.