Natividad Seefeld is the President of Park Plaza Cooperative in Fridley, Minnesota. But she's so much more than that. She's a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, a former business owner, a problem solver, a cancer surviver, a mover, a shaker, and part of the glue that holds together a vibrant, thriving, diverse, urban community.
When Natividad moved to Park Plaza, the community was not thriving beyond day to day. There were no street lights on her side of the community. There were very few children. There was no sense of community, no security, no stability, and the residents had no power. Things have changed since the residents took over 13 years ago. Natividad says "Now it's like a gigantic family of aunts and uncles and grandmas and grandpas and kids galore... Everybody knows everybody. We babysit each other's kids." People didn't seem to feel safe and secure enough to have more kids in the community back when Natividad moved in. Now, there has been at least one baby born in the community each year for the past 7 years. This year, there were five. Natividad asks "Why do people feel they can do that now? Is it because they have stable rent and a secure environment? You're able to lean on others when you're in need... In a stick built house, you might not do that as much."
Getting to this point has not been without its challenges. Natividad has been bullied and threatened for her gender and sexuality. When she first moved into the community, the seller of the home refused to let Natividad's partner look at the home she was considering buying. There was mention of a rule against people of the same gender sharing a bedroom in order to evict Natividad and her partner. Natividad's partner was kept off the lease, referred to as "Jane Doe." The onsite manager falsified her water meter readings so she had to pay unreasonably high water bills. And he refused to fix the pothole in front of her house, despite fixing other potholes in the park. Natividad stood up to the landlord and stayed in her home, but it was a fight.
When Natividad was young, her grandmother used to tell her "you're gonna be everybody's sunshine at some point." She didn't understand the meaning until she grew up and got involved with the community. A family approached Natividad asking, really, begging for a home. Natividad was able to help them find a home in Park Plaza. They're still there, and they recently had another baby. The family was so excited to have their first home in the United States of America. They're fixing up their house, and Natividad says "It's going to be a real cute house when they're done with it." Natividad is excited to watch their family grow up. "You are somebody's sunshine when you give them a home."
Natividad is full of surprises. When the owner of the pet store she worked at talked about selling, Natividad bought it. He didn't think she was serious, but she showed up with a lawyer the next day and followed-through. She's had three surgeries on her very rare brain cancer. This cancer is so rare, Natividad is the 56th person identified to have the condition. Although most people with this type of cancer die before they turn 50, Natividad is still going strong and approaching her 62nd birthday. She lost a year of work in the 90s to a bad burn incident, but most people who know her don't know about this. For a period of time, she lived in a car with her parents and 3 siblings. Perhaps all these experiences have helped shape her into the active, vivacious leader she is today.
"My biggest pride and joy is the people," Natividad responded when asked what she is most proud about. She's currently pet-sitting for a friend who is has been homeless and is now living with a family member. "I wish I could do more, or find more things to help. It's not just housing, it's food." She's particularly passionate about helping immigrants. "We may come from different sides of the world, but we're all the same." And she's critically aware that "we're all one paycheck away from being homeless."
Leadership has made Natividad a better listener. "Some would say I'm maybe more bossy," she admits. "You have to be more aware and caring and kind... Sometimes you have to be a little bit fearful of the unknown...The people make great leaders. I don't think you're born and raised a great leader... The people help along the way, even the bullies."
Natividad's advice for those considering starting their own resident-owned community is "imagine what it would be like if you didn't do it... Imagine this is you. You get a letter from your owner, your community is up for sale. Oh my gosh, what are you going to do? You can't take your home with you, you don't have anywhere to move... This is the only place you can live... what are you doing to do... vote yes or no?" For her, the decision boils down to security and stability. "You get to stay for life, if you want to. That's the biggest thing."
You can put more legends like Natividad in charge of their communities. Donate what you can to help create the next Park Plaza Cooperative, and you can be somebody's sunshine. This holiday season, give the gift of a thriving community. Help people who are one paycheck away from homelessness find security, stability, and dignity.
