A Mother’s Love has a place to call home

The board of A Mother's Love sits outside their permanent central location. Photo by Azhae’la Hanson

By Azhae’la Hanson, Reporter

In late August, A Mother’s Love Initiative (AML) moved out of what has long been their office - the car trunks of its members. These dedicated peace activists and street outreach workers have had a nomadic existence for the last eight years.

Now, AML has a permanent home of their own, thanks to a friendship formed on the golf course between AML president Lisa Clemons and a woman named Andrea, who shared Clemons’ passion for community and was inspired by AML’s work.

AML has been trying to raise money for a home since 2018, but the effort stalled and Clemons said a brick-and-mortar base of operation was put on a back burner.

Clemons joined a golf group for women and befriended Andrea, whose last name was a mystery for two years. It didn’t matter to Clemons; she was grateful for the friendship.

One day, Andrea shared her last name with Clemons – Luther, as in Luther Automotive, a chain of car dealerships. Andrea Luther is married to owner Dan Luther. The last name didn’t matter to Clemons; she was grateful for the friendship.

But then, Andrea Luther said she and her husband wanted to purchase a home for AML.

“I mean I was shocked. Clemons said. “I thought she was just a really nice lady, and then her and her husband told me they want to make my dreams come true.”

The process of finding a home took more than a year and was led by real estate agent Jay Ettinger, who waived his commission for finding the home.

“Getting no commission was the best commission I could ever get.” Ettinger said. “In 23 and a half years of selling real estate, this has been the most fulfilling deal I've ever done.”

“Bringing back the village” is the organization's creed. Now with a central location, the organization hopes to use the property to follow program participants all the way through to their recovery.

One of the biggest problems the organization has faced in the past is the consistency with their outreach. Because resources were so spread out, it was hard for people to get the long-term help they need. Now, it makes life easier for both parties.

AML will use the space as a resource center, an office, and a safe place where people can cook, eat, talk, and rest.

“We want them to feel comfort, we want them to feel peace.” Clemons said.

In the year it took to find a home, AML says they were very intentional on the location of the property. Members reflected on times in their youth when they were dealing with trauma and being able to leave the confrontation of the city and their neighborhoods was the common denominator that produced many of the fondest memories of their childhoods.

They hope their location on the edge of North Minneapolis will produce the same reaction for their 65 program participants.

“We knew we wanted the house to be in North Minneapolis, this is where our heart lies. We also wanted it to be a space that mothers feel safe coming to away from gunfire because they hear it every night.” Clemons said.

A Mother’s Love is looking forward to hosting the grand opening of their new space in mid October.