The Minko Project Inc intends to Bridge the Gap between the homeless population in Reno/Sparks and the people and organizations that want to help them. HIRRE- a Homeless In Reno/Sparks Resource Encampment would offer temporary shelter in a campground like setting located in the heart of the Truckee River Cooridor most affected by the homeless population. Camp guests would be in a positive, safe, and self-empowering environment specifically designed to help prepare victims of chronic homelessness for more long term solutions.

Jordan Alexander Mackenzie –Allen Lindstrom was in his early twenties when he died. With struggles at home, he lived , for the most part, on the streets of Reno, NV from about the age of fourteen. Essentially, he was raised by a community most don’t even realize exists. Who, exactly, am I referring to? The homeless that have taken refuge all along the banks of the Truckee River and throughout the Reno.Sparks area. Jordan grew up with the idea that you did whatever was needed to survive, and you did it for your family, too. For himself, Jordan (known as Minko to those that really knew him) didn’t need much to be happy. His happiness came from the smiles he put on the faces he encountered on his journey.

On Mother’s Day –2019 Jordan drowned in the Truckee River after attempting to steal what was likely food and supplies for someone in need from a nearby store. In order to evade police offers, Jordan jumped into the Truckee River and was later pronounced dead.

The Minko Project Inc was founded in honor of the memory of a young man in our community that set a beautiful example of what it means to love unconditionally.

Minko was just one of countless members of our community that do for others when they can barely do for themselves. We can all agree that it is time to take action on the fight against homelessness in our community., The Minko Project Inc’s dream is to provide a safe, positive, and helpful environment for the Homeless community that has taken refuge on the shores of the Truckee River

Homeless encampments have been popping up on the banks of the Truckee River in the Reno/Sparks area for the past several years. Recently, they have become an overwhelming issue for the community; one that, despite the efforts of some, continues to grow with no real solution in sight. The Minko Project Inc hopes to resolve the issue by proposing the development of a homeless resource encampment (HIRRE-Homeless In Reno/Sparks Resource Encampment) located at the heart of the affected area along the Truckee River. Another commitment of our operations will be to the clean-up and preservation of the Truckee.

OUR DREAM

Our vision is clear…bridge the gap between the homeless community of Reno/Sparks living on the banks of the Truckee River and the people that want to help them. We believe that a community should be built on the moral concept that it is our responsibility as a collective to have a dedicated sense of compassion and care for EVERY member of the community.

Instead of waiting for people in need to seek out the resources available to them, we feel it a moral obligation to bring those resources to the heart of the areas that need it the most. The encampment would ideally include the following services/resources:

• Temporary camping spaces.
• Outbuilding for Showers/Restrooms/Waste Management
• Resource Center Office location (help camp guests seek out available resources)
• Recreation Hall-space for public speakers & organizations, daily soup kitchen.
• Safe, Positive environment