Portland, Oregon
eco-home photo: courtesy of simondale.net/house/
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Who we are:
The Nursery is a non-profit community garden and shelter (Tax ID 27-0935530) founded in 2009 by Portland artist and filmmaker, Laura Spitze.
It is our goal to provide access to free food, education, healing and housing for all in need. Our services will include:
-free community gardens
-free temporary sustainable housing and trainings
-free career counseling and mentor connections
-free music and cultural events
-free led meditations, workshops & alternative medicine therapy
-free daily meals
Each of the programs and activities are specifically tailored to address the cracks those in our society tend to fall through. We believe that by generously investing in these areas, we can foster a nourishing climate for those who would otherwise be lost.
Health and homelessness are addressed with the free alternative medicine, and the free temporary sustainable housing structures built for anyone in need. Naturopathy, homeopathy, acupuncture and other alternative methods and remedies in harmony with the body’s natural rhythms are used to treat issues varying from addictions to disease. Led meditations and movement classes allow for healing in the same holistic manner.
Sustainable structures built from recycled materials and adobe allow each person to ‘custom design’ their personal sanctuary. This is especially important for a human’s well being to have a safe, happy place to call home. Sophisticated yet simple methods for grey and brown water treatment integrate plant cultivation into the homes, and full trainings are available for the public.
Poverty is tackled with career counseling and individually tailored mentorship connections paired with successful local professionals. Individuals who have never been encouraged or modeled success are given the attention and resources necessary to help them finally achieve it. As the old saying goes, “teach a man to fish and feed him for life”.
Hunger is immediately erased by the simple concept of free, individually portioned plots, daily meals and cooking workshops. This one simple act of free garden plots alone will shift our culture and communities into right-minded thought. Something that can grow out of the ground should not be so scarce that any hunger exists at all.
Community is quickly restored by the daily meals, events and music in one central location, which does not revolve around commerce, but instead on nurturing.