Let's Make
Minneapolis
Even Better Together!

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Meet  Brenda Short?

Brenda Short hails from a small town in Iowa. Growing up, she worked on farms, toiling in cornfields, bean fields, and even on a chicken farm. After graduating from high school, Brenda pursued a career in criminal justice. Due to unforeseen circumstances, fate brought her to the Twin Cities, where she faced homelessness with her three children. Thanks to the kindness of a Minneapolis homeowner, James O’Donnell, Brenda found temporary shelter. She worked multiple jobs, including at Target and Kmart. Over the years, Brenda has held various positions, from working in finance to healthcare. She eventually became a homeowner and small business owner in South Minneapolis.

Brenda is a passionate advocate for her unhoused neighbors and is deeply committed to community engagement. She believes in the power of listening to and collaborating with her neighbors to create lasting change. Brenda regularly hosts community meetings, participates in local events, and works closely with various community organizations to ensure everyone's voice is heard. Her mission is to ensure that everyone has a place to call home in the Twin Cities. Quite the journey for this small-town girl from Iowa!
 

 

Living in south Minneapolis was a big transition for a small-town girl like me. We quickly learned that sleeping on the floor was safer than sleeping in our own bed at night. I enjoyed walking around to get acclimated to the neighborhood. We always went to the  Rainbow food and afterwards the Target food court every day. I was lucky when one day when I was at Target, a lady from Target  walked up to me and offered me a job and that same day I also received a voicemail on my home phone from Kmart offering me a position. I worked both jobs, I worked at Kmart during the day and Target in the evening. A few weeks after I started my jobs, public transportation workers went on strike, leaving me with no way to get to work. Thankfully, Target started a rideshare program or I would lose both jobs. A few years later, I went to work for Wells Fargo  Mortgage during  the day and worked at Fairview hospital at night and during  weekends. I went back to school to study for my  Series 6 and 63. While I was in school I bought a house  in south Minneapolis  and in my house I started a home daycare. I later paused going to school and started working for  Wystar Global Retirement Solutions. After working at Wystar, I moved on to  ING for 5 years. After resigning from ING, I worked at Best Buy Corporate office. I stayed there for 7 years. Shortly leaving Best Buy Corporate I returned home to Iowa to take care of  my mother.

I ended up moving back to Minneapolis a few years later  to transition my mother to move to Minneapolis with me. While taking care of my mother I worked at  Park Nicollet for 5 years . I started working at Allina Healthcare where I am currently working today as a Financial Clearance Representative. Also, I recently opened a Respite service business in 2020, but due to covid-19  I could not actively work on my business.

As a homeowner, a caregiver and activist I have earned my stripes. I have seen Minneapolis at its worst and  want to bring Minneapolis to be Better!