From Setback to Service: Building Homes and Hope in Minnesota
When Arnold Kubei moved from Cameroon to Minnesota in 2007, he carried with him a familiar dream: the chance to build a better life through hard work, consistency, and vision. His first ventures — from running a janitorial service to purchasing a gas station — reflected that determination. But when an underground leak forced him to close the gas station, the setback was devastating. He faced bankruptcy and lost nearly everything he had worked for.
For many, that would have marked the end of the road. For Arnold, it was the beginning of a different path.
From Security Counselor to Service Provider
After his own financial loss, Arnold took a position with the Minnesota Department of Human Services in Moose Lake, working as a Security Counselor at the Minnesota Sex Offender Program. There, he witnessed firsthand the barriers individuals faced when returning to society. Even those committed to turning their lives around often struggled with the same critical gap: the lack of safe, stable housing and supportive services to help them succeed.
This experience sparked a conviction that housing is the foundation of rehabilitation. Without it, individuals were at risk of cycling back into instability. Determined to be part of the solution, Arnold began exploring case management as a way to help people transition successfully back into community life. He started with the Moving Home Minnesota program, supporting individuals with disabilities and those re-entering society by helping them secure housing and stability.
Leading in Supportive Housing
What began as a focused effort quickly grew into a broader mission. Arnold went on to establish Metro Care Human Services and later Home Sweet Home of Minnesota, both designed to meet the housing and support needs of vulnerable Minnesotans.
