Kristin's family story

As co-block leader, Kristin Jorenby has organized National Night Out events, removed absentee landlords, worked to demolish abandoned homes and helped her neighborhood win a Building Blocks award in 2007. Her mantra: "I know there are good parts to this neighborhood and there are bad parts. I can choose to ignore it or I can choose to do something about it. I’ve chosen to act."

Kristin moved into her North Minneapolis neighborhood 14 years ago. Though she is a native of suburban Minneapolis, she always knew she was more of a city girl. Living in North Minneapolis, she feels close to her neighbors and loves the mixture of people in the neighborhood. "McKinley offers a wide variety of people, and it’s awesome to expose my daughter to the diversity." Kristin and her daughter, Nyssa, know McKinley as a great neighborhood and plan to stay.

Through her role as co-block leader, Kristin hopes to "spread the wealth," as she says. "It takes education and awareness to build a safe and stable neighborhood, and you can’t do it by yourself," says Kristin. She works alongside her co-block leader, and neighbor, in collaboration with other McKinley residents. In addition to receiving the Building Blocks award, the neighborhood most recently started its own organic community garden.

Kristin is currently finishing her bachelor’s degree, and she will apply for a Master’s program in Social Work and Public Policy in the fall. In addition to her community and educational commitments, Kristin also works part-time with the MnDOT SEEDS pathway program, which provides support to students with disabilities. Kristin is passionate about advocating for the disabled community, encouraging better accommodations and upgrades across Minnesota. After she herself became disabled, Kristin became a passionate spokeswoman for independent living and vocational rehab. Her presence emits an unstoppable drive and integrity.

Although Kristin is active in her community, her physical and financial limitations have hindered her ability to maintain the exterior of her home. She came across Habitat’s A Brush With Kindness program in the local paper and saw an opportunity to help fix up her home. Kristin and Nyssa are excited for the work to be done on their home. "We work really hard as a neighborhood to keep things looking nice," says Kristin. She knows this is one step toward creating a safer, nicer neighborhood for herself and her daughter. When asked if she thinks North Minneapolis will someday be a thriving neighborhood, she replies, "Yes. It takes time, but yes."