HOW WE CAME TO BE:

We came together as a team in May of 2008. Our project coordinator was working with a grass roots neighborhood group that had been categorizing homes that were slated for demolition by the City of St. Paul. Our project co-coordinator and the group came up with the idea for a “vacant home” tour to bring about awareness of the vacant home problem. She called it the “possibilities tour.” The tour took place on the first weekend of May, 2008. It was attended by over 400 people. The tour focused on homes that were registered vacant and were also for sale. The project co-coordinator noticed that people were very interested in the houses but the main piece that was missing was the “resources” - i.e. getting from wanting to buy the house to actually knowing what that would entail and how it could be accomplished with the least amount of red tape for the buyer. The project coordinator met with City officials, who said that the “one stop source” concept of “The Possibilities Team” was sorely needed.  Thus, “The Possibilities Team” was formed.

WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE:

 What sets us apart is that we work with financially challenged neighborhoods and offer services and programs for purchasing, rehabbing and restoring properties. We work with the City and are focusing on reducing the staggering amount of vacant homes. Our people have knowledge and hands on experience with rehab and restoration of homes that were vacant. We also have resources that deal with foreclosure processes .We are very aware that the longer houses sit vacant, the more detrimental it can be to a community. Vacant homes become like rust-they eat neighborhoods from the inside out- and soon the framework of the City itself is crumbling. In the end, we all feel these negative ramifications.

“The Possibilities Team” offers a complete list of services as well as two programs: The LYT (light) – (Program for women) as well as the CAN A.S.K. FOR HELP,INC. -  (Foreclosure Program.)

OUR GOAL:

 By purchasing and restoring vacant homes, “THE POSSIBILITIES TEAM” strives to become a self-sustaining organization. This will be accomplished by the resale of the restored homes. The monies generated from this will support “THE POSSIBILITIES TEAM” people as well as the subsidiary programs – “LYT” and “CAN A.S.K. FOR HELP”.

The main focus would be not only to restore a home, but to help women. The final outcome would be less vacant properties, more empowered women and families, and stronger, more vibrant communities.