Portland, Oregon
eco-home photo: courtesy of simondale.net/house/
| Who we are | What we need | The strategy | Current projects |
Strategic Plan for Resource Development:
The Nursery’s core values are to care for people’s basic needs. Instead of wasting money and resources in bloated administration costs or frivolous projects, all of the focus is on bringing free food and support to those in need. Much of what we will need will be donated in time and supplies rather than monetary solicitations and donations. This is the working vision:
1. Permanent Plot: To realize the vision of this organization, a permanent location is critical for establishing a visible and stable presence for the underprivileged community to connect to. This can be in any form of farmable land and building code allowances that is within the greater Portland-Metro area (preferably downtown). Once this plot is established, each gear will be put into place to complete the organization’s goal.
2. Breaking Ground: The most important goal is to feed those who cannot afford to eat. That is why before beginning building any of the structures, our first action will be to begin the farming process (depending on the season, of course). Nutritious, organic fresh fruits and vegetable seeds will be planted so those who would otherwise eat pre-packaged nutritionally depleted foods because of cost will be afforded the right to eating well.
3. Main Court Raising: Like in the traditions of the old barn raising celebrations, we will gather the community involved to help with this wonderful ceremony. A main court structure will be built by our volunteer carpenters, which will provide shelter for community events, career counseling, workshops and led meditations, and alternative medical care. This simple structure will create a cohesion and sense of place to the center, and the raising ceremony will create and strengthen bonds of commitment and community.
4. Sustainable Structures: The fourth and final piece to The Nursery’s vision, a team of trainers will teach any and all interested in how to build their own sustainable eco-home from found and recycled materials. Under their guidance, we will begin building temporary housing units for homeless families and individuals to stay in until they are in a stable situation. The ability to custom design the interiors and exteriors will be especially beneficial for mental and emotional healing.
5. Long Term: We envision that not just the Portland Metro area will benefit from this concept, but that each community will eventually adopt the nursery model for creating a community cultural hub and caring for those less fortunate. We believe there is no good reason why people should ever go hungry or be without a home in this country. By sharing collective resources and coming together as a community, each individual will eventually be reached, if done on a big enough scale. This organization is completely non-profit, and has no hold nor desire on franchising this concept exclusively. Rather, it would be to the benefit of all if this became a common template to replicate anywhere, because it is time we allocate our resources and wisdom for good instead of commerce.