When I began, my plans for Summer 2022 were similar to the last 2 years but, I noticed straight away that the environment was different because the people were different. The community has changed drastically. The pandemic has changed the way that we community and those needs are now critical. It's a state of emergency and those that are allocating our tax dollars are NOT listening.
I found that I had to adjust and listen more intently. The need to boost morale, give hope, engage, build, strengthen has shifted in terms of community engagement and how we encourage and empower people. Homelessness has increased, substance abuse is higher, mental unwellness has been exacerbated and the trees of life are now the people.
I've hosted numerous events around food scarcity to feed people, provide resources, make phone calls, advocate and spend countless hours helping to redirect anxiety. It's confounding and at times overwhelming but, gardens, orchards and the arts are providing a necessary remedy to a widening chasm of despair.
We are training Youth to Teach Gardening, teaching food as medicine, teaching recipes for healthier alternatives and getting down and dirty in the soil. The soil actually has healing and calming properties, as well.
This orchard initiative has allowed us to be more active and listen in ways that might have offered more judgment than compassion. More Artists are filling the space and giving vision to the importance of service.
We've trained more than 30 children and 50 Youth this Summer. We've expanded the garden and have cut down a fence that's been a hazard and nuisance the last 4 years. We were able to purchase more equipment, started our performance Art Troupe, ChicaGlow, created more solid community partnerships and have become a Pillar of Hope for our community.
Pour les collectivités Lancer des idées Obtenez du financement, des ressources et du soutien pour démarrer des projets percutants
Pour les innovateurs sociaux Faites évoluer votre idée Entrez en contact avec des acteurs du changement et de la finance au sein de la communauté afin d'accroître votre impact.
Pour les organisations Démarrer un fonds Financer les thèmes et les régions qui vous tiennent à cœur
