Ilya Garelik, Co-Vicepresident
I have lived in the Hamline Midway neighborhood with my partner and 3 dogs since 2018 and have appreciated the sense of community and positivity that is inherent to the neighborhood. I believe in the power of community organizing and its potential to improve the lives of the people who live in it. I am also passionate about improving equity and ensuring that everyone is able to thrive in the community, regardless of their race, ethnicity, class, socio-economic status, gender identity, and ethnicity.
As part of this goal and with the help of many others at HMC, I helped establish the HMC Renter Engagement Committee. I consider myself lucky to live in a city that has neighborhood councils and believe they can be an integral part in helping to build community power and increasing civic and democratic participation.
My Midway Moment
One of the experiences that has made living in the Hamline Midway neighborhood so welcoming for me is the plethora of yard signs that encourage inclusivity. Signs like Black Lives Matter, All are Welcome Here, and the plethora of pride and solidarity flags show that this community is all about accepting people, supporting each other, and encouraging a healthy and diverse community. Another experience that makes the neighborhood so friendly is how easy it is to strike up a conversation with neighbors and others I encounter on the street.
People who live in this neighborhood are down to earth and without pretense. When asked about what it’s like to live in the Hamline Midway Neighborhood, my #1 response is always that the sense of community is the strongest I’ve felt in any neighborhood I’ve ever lived in.
Not just me... You too!
See yourself as someone who wants to make a difference in the neighborhood? Get in touch with us!