MINNEAPOLIS - It began with a few tents near Hiawatha and Cedar Avenue in south Minneapolis, but "The Wall" is now one of the largest homeless camps Minnesota has ever seen. On Friday morning, it was also the site of one of the largest social service outreach efforts in state history.
Those working to help, say there are now at least 120 people living at "The Wall" and most are Native American. Each person brings a unique story and set of problems, but KARE 11 recently learned that one particular issue has arisen, and it is an urgent concern for the entire community.
Rebecca Jackson and Mary LaGarde work for the Minneapolis American Indian Center, and are among the dozens of people who are working on behalf of social service organizations to help people living at "The Wall".
"It's hard to deal with knowing that our people are there, and they're there in that way, and that they really feel forgotten," Jackson said. "Some of them don't want... they don't want the help. But there are so many out there that do."
Jackson and LaGarde says it's those people who do want help, who are keeping them up at night.
"The help that's out there is not enough," Jackson said.
After visiting the camp on Sunday, Jackson realized there were several women who needed help because they were victims of, or in danger of, sexual assault. She says the problem is largely controlled during the day, but she has been pleading for more police presence and services at night.