Justice for George Floyd — June 3, 2020

Photo CC Logan Weaver

Clare Housing unequivocally opposes police brutality and the senseless killings like those of George Floyd, Philando Castile, Jamar Clark, and so many others. We pray that the officers involved in Floyd’s murder are brought to justice.

We also support the many Minnesotans who have taken to the streets in protest and those who made it clear that they want justice for George Floyd. Our staff, residents, and leadership are members of this community, and, with them, we are grieving and we are angry. Real change is long overdue.

The death of George Floyd at the hands of police, and the subsequent unrest, highlight the ugly and long history in America of injustice that stretches deep, 400 years deep, back into the very bedrock of this nation. Those injustices and the resulting disparities are why nonprofit social service organizations, including Clare Housing, must exist.

As an organization, we are committed to our value of creating equity by addressing disparities in health and housing. Because we know disparities are symptoms of a much larger problem — systemic racism — we commit to doing more than providing housing and health supports.

We commit to listening to our residents, staff, and community. We commit to examining barriers our neighbors face in accessing health and housing services. We commit to using our voice for justice. And we commit to engaging in policy and systems change work to dismantle racism and its impact on our clients.

Our new executive director was hired, in part, because of a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. When she starts in August, the Board of Directors will work with her to develop an action plan that ensures Clare Housing actively participates in the anti-racism movement.

We are humbled and inspired by the passion and hunger for justice of our community, and we encourage you to give generously to the communities affected, as well as the organizers striving to address systemic racism.

Don Mayo-Moschkau, Board Chair        Cheryl Jensen, Interim Executive Director