Youth Cooperative Homeownership Initiative
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Advancing Housing Stability and Community Wealth and Through Youth Leadership
The Youth Cooperative Homeownership Initiative (YCHI) was born directly from young people’s desire to build community wealth and create access to ownership opportunities. The four-year, collaborative, multi-phase initiative has launched in the Twin Cities, with a focus on communities experiencing the equity-related challenges that routinely accompany gentrification, including displacement of lower-income individuals. Youthprise’s aim is to position the YCHI as a vehicle for young people to take the lead in creating pathways to achieve stable housing, entrepreneurship, and community wealth in their own neighborhoods.
MEET THE COHORT!
Young people, with support from Youthprise and Living Cities, are at the forefront of establishing a youth-centered cooperative. A cohort of young people began meeting at the beginning of 2024 and is driving the cooperative model’s design and development, including its physical design, amenities and services, governance, and all aspects of its development and operation. This will include developing the cooperative governance structure, selection process, expectations, and all other elements of the cooperative. The cohort is representative of the community of young people that the project seeks to serve.
Cameron Jackson
Cameron is an aspiring lawyer, businessman, and politician. Through YCHI, he has been able to surround himself with like-minded individuals who also have the goal of bringing more money and change into our communities. A perfect day for him would be to have made money, made friends, and made his family feel loved.
Devin Boeing
Devin is a social entrepreneur, content creator, and barber with a mission to create social change through innovative solutions. Being a part of YCHI has shown him the importance of people in our cities owning the properties and communities they live in, and how fundamental this is to the economic development of our neighborhoods.
Emmett A. DySart IV
A self-described RAD~ical and empath, Emmett aspires to break the generational curses of poverty amongst family and friends, and have the freedom to create systems of wealth that go beyond finances. YCHI is dear to him, because its non-traditional structure gives more agency to youth. A perfect day for him would be waking up on a tall mountain overlooking the sea, skydiving, chilling at the beach, and eating fresh coconuts and mangos.
Hana Abdelhamid
Hana currently works in governmental relations for several organizations at the MN Capitol. She is passionate about dismantling systems of hate and promoting trust and justice on issues, including BDS/Palestine/ending U.S. aid to Israel, housing, xenophobia, healthcare, education, and freedom of religion. YCHI is integral to her aspiration of owning a home while juggling other financial responsibilities. Three words that describe her are Muslim, Egyptian, and justice-driven, and her perfect day would be a warm summer day spent with her husband at one of Minnesota’s many lakes.
Janae Petersen
An aspiring neuro or orthopedic surgeon specializing in spinal surgery, Janae is an ambitious visionary, who believes YCHI is integral in inciting change within our community. In her freetime, she enjoys relaxing at home with her girlfriend and daughter, as well as eating sushi and tiramisu.
Kamiya Oliver
Three words that describe Kamiya are bubbly, opinionated, and caring. She brings these characteristics to her work with YCHI, because she wants young people to have advantages that she did not. Currently, she is challenging herself to build a successful, happy life with her loved ones.
Kat Floyd
Kat’s future vision is to be successful in real estate and own properties. YCHI is important to her because not only does it expand her knowledge of the ins and outs of home ownership, business, and renting/leasing, it is also an opportunity for her to help and bring happiness to her community. Three words that describe her are kind, joyful, and open-minded, and a perfect day would be a picnic by the beach with her girlfriend.
Peneal Tiruneh
Peneal is a futuristic, gentle, and witty individual whose ambition and compassion have led her to become a financial advisor. She seeks to be a community resource to transform families’ financial trajectory and foster financial freedom, and she believes YCHI is a special opportunity for youth to lay a new foundation and make their imprint. Her perfect day is one filled with sunshine, contagious laughter, and an unhurried passage of time, surrounded by the pure air of the trees, delicious food, and enveloped in the love of her family and friends.
Qadiym Washington
Qadiym is an ambitious student with aspirations to be a world renowned artist. YCHI serves as the foundation for his vision of owning an estate and building homes and agricultural communities for his family and others in need. His perfect day would consist of spending time outside in nature with his loved ones
Summer Vue
Summer is a multi-talented advocate who hopes to combine her love for the arts and dedication to social justice for those who are marginalized and underrepresented, shed light on real-life issues, and encourage vital conversations. YCHI is an insightful experience where she can acquire skills and knowledge that can one day be applied to empower different communities and industries. Her passions include textile arts and sustainable fashion production practices, and a perfect day would involve rest, control over her own schedule, and time to invest in herself and feel fulfilled.
Zindell Sandria-Mejia
Zindell is funny, smart, and calm, and he is working towards owning his own home and being independent. Being a part of YCHI is extremely important to him, because his goal is to build community wealth, and he believes people shouldn’t have to live paycheck to paycheck to have a home in our society. A perfect day for him would involve a good night’s sleep, no work, being able to eat what he wants, and relaxing in nature with his dog.
