WOW, it has been a very long time since I have posted here.  In fact, I had forgotten I even had this blog.
It has been interesting to look through this blog and read the entries....in many ways, I have come full circle.
My interests have returned to the beginnings...connecting more with nature, and surrounding myself with community, and reconnecting with friends that have not been in touch with for many years.
It is a good path to explore, and reflect on my journey and where I want to travel .

Living simply, nature lover, tree hugger.

Full circle.

Kimberley

100 Mile Diet

In further exploring with eating healthier, I discovered the website for 100 Mile Diet, where a couple spent a year living and eating with foods that they could only find within a 100 miles of where they lived. ( They live in Vancouver , British Columbia in Canada) .

They then created a website to help you get started if you wanted to follow the movement and start your own 100 Mile Diet in your community.

I think that I am going to try this. It sounds like a lot of fun, although I do not think that I will do it for a year...but maybe I could do it for a month!?!

blessings
Kimberley

Here is a website dedicated to a wonderful project creating a Homeless Garden and offers training !

Check it out!!!!

Mission Statement

The Homeless Garden Project, founded in 1990, provides training and transitional employment- within a community supported organic garden enterprise- to homeless and formerly homeless people in Santa Cruz County.

Our goals are to:

• Offer a supportive, meaningful work environment that encourages self-esteem, responsibility, and self-sufficiency.
• Integrate homeless people and our community in the security and beauty of a productive garden
• Put into practice the principles of economic and ecological sustainability

Click here to Meet Our Team!

Who We Serve

The Homeless Garden Project serves approximately forty to fifty people a year in Santa Cruz county who:

• Are homeless, formerly homeless, or very low income
• Have experienced barriers to employment
• Wish to manintain a stable productive place in society

Our Programs

The HGP offers 2-3 year training programs; the Women's Organic Flower Enterprise and the Natural Bridges Farm Program.

Both of our programs, provides men and women an opportunity to learn work and life skills while earning a wage, and providing the community with wholesome organic vegetables and flowers through sustainable agricultural practices. The trainees of WOFE learn horticulture skills out at the Farm, artistic design skills in our workshop, and retail sales skills in our store. The trainees in the NBF Program learn horticultural skills, assist with the CSA program, and learn retail skills in our store.

All Project trainees work with staff as they progress toward personal and work goals. Weekly classes are offered on horticulture and business skills, making personal budgets, journal writing, business skills and career counseling. Trainees are also connected with appropriate resources outside the Project such as; housing, food stamps, free and low cost health services, savings plans, treatment programs, mental health services, job coaching, resume writing and schooling, etc.

Our intent is to create a supportive yet realistic work experience within well run and successful certified organic farm-based enterprise.

 

Click here to Visit our sites!

Local Foods Dinner

I have begun to explore ways to eat healthier again...mainly for my own knowledge and education but also to help deal with my own health issues which is an ongoing journey for me. Eating healthy plays a big part in how I feel on a daily basis. I can always know when I have not been eating as healthy as I should by how my body tends to react.

Anyway I came across this site after on the internet and wanted to share this site with you in hopes that it might inspire you to find creative ways to have parties but also eat healthy...It could be the start of a whole new movement in your area, or you may find that you have been missing out on a community in your area that has been there for some time...either way , I hope it might inspire you to eat healthier, but also connect more with your local farmers.

Here is the link for creating a Local Foods Dinner in your community!



Blessings,
Kimberley

2. Educate Yourself About The Homeless

You've already taken your first step by reading this book. You've discovered that the homeless are more than the steriotypical drifter, drunk, or bum. A homeless person may be someone with a job, a runaway kid, a member of your family, or you yourself.

You may already know the homeless in your community by sight. You may have spoken to them and know their names. Or you might never have noticed them at all. One of the first steps in helping people is to see them as individuals and to find out what they need.

Notice them; talk to them. Most are starved for attention. And contact you local religious centers, social service agencies, or town hall to find the programs in your community that aid the homeless. (Many national organizations are listed in the back of this book.)

Don't be afraid to reach out--or to pass along what you have learned to others. You can start by sharing this book with a friend.

Here is a wonderful link to ta book titled 54 Ways to help the Homeless

You can see the whole book online...it shares so much information on homelessness and it ia GREAT learning tool.

Here is the link:

http://home.golden.net/~msavage/ootc/54ways/overview.html

Here is the info from the first chapter...

I. Learn About the Homeless

1. Understand Who The Homeless Are

The First--and most important--thing you can do to help the homeless is to realize that the tired old stereotypes concerning them just are not true.

Myth: They want to be homeless.
Fact: Less than six percent of the homeless are that way by choice.
Myth: They're to blame for being homeless.
Fact: Most homeless are victims. Some have suffered from child abuse or violence. Nearly one quarter are children. Many have lost their jobs. All have lost their homes.
Myth: They don't work.
Fact: Many homeless people are among the working poor. A person earning a minimum wage can't earn enough to support a family of three or pay inner-city rent.
Myth: They are mentally ill.
Fact: About 25 percent of the homeless are estimated to be emotionally disturbed. One percent may need long-term hospitalization; the others can become self-sufficient with help.
Myth: They are heavy drug users.
Fact: Some homeless are substance abusers; research suggests one in four. Many of these are included in the 25 percent who suffer from mental illness.
Myth: They are dangerous.
Fact: Sometimes an encounter with the homeless may end in tragedy. It is extremely rare, though. In general, the homeless are among the least threatening group in our society. If anything, they are the victims of crimes, not the perpetrators
Most homeless people are not drunks or drug abusers or former mental patients. Most are able or willing to work. They are not the perpetual social problem many people believe they are. So who are they?

Full-time workers

One out of four homeless is employed full- or part-time, according to the United States Conference of Mayors. The arithmetic is simple and frightening: a person who works fourty hours a week at the 1992 Federal minimum wage of $4.25 per hour grosses about $700 a month, takes home less than $600-- and is a prime candidate for homelessness.
I meet such people at a shelter run by my synagogue in Westfield, New Jersey. Two neatly dressed sisters in their thirties arrived one evening. One was a full-time sales clerk at Bloomingdale's; her sister was seeking a job. Two rent increases in a year had eaten their savings and caused them to fall behind in rent. Consequently, they were evicted. By using the Temple's hospitality program, they hoped to save enough for first and last month's rent and a security deposit for an apartment.

Disabled vets

One quarter of the homeless are war veterans, most of them from the Vietnam conflict. Do you remember Ron Kovic's story in the film, Born on the Fourth of July? It dramatized the fact that the veterans of that war were abandoned and discouraged, even dishonored, and in Ron's case wound up on our streets, some of them disable, others mentally traumatized by their war experiences, others simply unable to find work.

Children

One out of four homeless people is a child. The fastest growing homeless group in the United States is families with children. Their number nearly doubled between 1984 and 1989, and continues to do so.
Even more appalling, many homeless children are alone. They may be runaways who left home because there is no money for food, because they are victims of rape, incest, or violence or because one or both of their parents is in emotional turmoil. Some are "throwaways" whose parents tellthem to leave home, or won't allow them to return once they leave.
I was shocked to learn that in Washington, D.C., when a soup kitchen, Martha's Kitchen, was opened to serve destitute children, within three weeks they were serving thirty children a day.

The Elderly

Elderly people on fixed incomes don't fit the traditional image of homeless folk. But the fact is that a senior citizen who receives $450 a month in benefits and pays $350 for rent can't survive in any U.S. city. However, Social Security, Medicare, and other senior-oriented programs provide a safety net for many of the elderly, making their numbers disproportionally less among the homeless than other minorities. Although the elderly are not as likely to be found in shelters, it is true that some are afraid to go to shelters, or even a soup kitchen. Others are living in poverty, not homeless, but often homebound and without proper heating, water, or other amenities.

AIDS victims

Thirty-two thousand people with AIDS and their dependents were homeless in 1989. By 1995 over 100,000 AIDS related sufferers are projected to jointheir ranks.
Fast facts
The number who are homeless for at least one night during the year is probably over three million.
The majority of homeless are male; the largest proportion are single men.
Illegal immigrants are swelling the ranks of the homeless.
One child in five lives below the poverty line, making children the poorest age group in the United States, which accounts for the growing percentage of children who are homeless.
Many homeless people have completed high school; some have attended college and even graduate school.
The homeless are found not only in cities, but in small towns, rural areas, and affluent suburbs.
Millions are among the hidden homeless--people who are one crisis away from losing their homes. They may be doubled or tripled up in housing or 48 hours from eviction or about to leave a hospital with nowhere to go.

Helping the Homeless...

I have been thinking of how to help the homeless more lately , as it is summer time ....I also work at a homeless shelter and it gets difficult for me to have to say no we do not have that in stock right now so often. I would love to see folks be able to help through out the whole year if possible.


I have an idea, that would I think work in helping create a life long business in helping homeless folks find their own income but also create community... this is in the form of Community Economic Development and the idea is to form a cooperative with the homeless folks and find a way to help them earn an income. My idea if to form a homeless Tea house or Coffee House. Help them develop and learn business skills, interior decorating or crafts etc , cooking skills, hospitality skills...Have it as a job skills learning centre. You could even have a community garden outside the building and create entreprenuer garden to help those who are able to do heavier work....then advertise this cooperative and folks could hire the homeless from the learning centre as well as come and have lunch or coffee and meet them.

I wonder what it would take to get this idea off the ground?

Blessings
Kimberley

Homeless Gift Bags

Summer time is when more homeless folks tend to sleep outside if it is nice weather, rather than be in the shelters...I can understand, as when I was homeless I preferred to sleep outside when I was by myself, and "camp". It is hard to be in shelters ...feeling so overcrowded and sometimes when you have other issues to deal with, being in a shelter is just too much for you.

Folks tend to want to give to the shelters alot at Christmas time, which is wonderful....but I am wondering if there is a way to help get church groups to help at other times during the year so that the homeless folks havve supplies all year.

I think that if we could get various groups to create "homeless gift bags" to give out at other times of the year other than just at Christmas, it would benefit them a great deal.

Here are my thoughts of gift ideas to put in the gift bags:

- socks ( which are desparately needed all the time)
- toothbrush and tooth paste ( can be travel size)
- nail kit ( nail clippers, file board etc)
- travel size shampoo and conditioner ( can be the 2 in 1 kind which is good)
- combs
- deck of playing cards ( these are popular at our shelter)
- hats ( to help keep the sun off head, or to keep warm at night time)
- travel alarm clock ( there are several homeless folks that need one to go to work)
- deodarant
- soap
- restaurant coupons ( Macdonalds, Tim Hortons, other fast food places)
- travel mugs
- a journal and pen ( even colored pencils would be wonderful as there are many artists)
- gum

These are just a few ideas to put together, then you could arrange to meet as a group and go to the parks and other places that the homeless community tend to gather and hand out bags....these would be so appreciated. It would be good to do this in small groups, and not by yourself if you are not comfortable.

Another idea would be to do a blanket drive...get together with several other groups and gather blanket to give out to the homeless...these could even be given to the shelters also. Many shelters have a clothing room that homeless folks can get a clean supply to help them...Blankets seem to be in short supply at most times and it is hard for folks to keep warm at night time.

Some church groups get together with the ladies ministry and either knit, quilt or crochet blankets...these are wonderful!!!!

Blessings,
Kimberley

There are many homeless folks that you do not see...folks that do the couch surfing with friends or relatives, folks living out of their cars or vans, folks that sleep in warehouses etc.  They are termed the "Hidden Homeless"

It is good to see that there are folks who are aware of this fact and have created a website to help get the word out and advocate for thsese hidden homeless.

Check out their website. There is lots of good information.

Blessings
Kimberley

Greetings~

Many of you have been asking for updates on our life adventures now that we are here  and settled in Calgary.  so am sending out a newsletter of sorts to share what changes have been taking place.

 There have been many changes in the past couple of years, and it has been a bit of a challenge keeping up with them.  Now that the summer is here, it is slowing down a bit.  So will start with the girls and news of them!

Jennifer is now officially a highschool student...she had her graduation ceremony and   which was held on June 8th.  Finally after all these years, we got her in a dress!!!! For those of you who know us, know that was a major challenge to accomplish!



Jennfier has been accepted into a Culinary Arts program for her highschool.  This may also include some apprenticeship, but will definitely be leading her into her Cooking Career for her future!  She has talked about having her own coffee shop and small cafe someday!

Jennifer will begin working this summer at the nearby restaurant which we tend to be frequent visitors to...the owner has sort of taken her under her wing and will be training her on the behind the scenes ...this is a pretty sweet deal for a fifteen year old to begin so early working on her career goals!

Jennifer had a wonderful graduation ceremony and enjoyed her evening of partying later with friends that she has been involved with through a church group for the past year!  This was a great way to celebrate getting through a long and somewhat difficult year ...there is definitely a light at the end of her tunnel now!
I have seen tremendous growth , struggles, overcoming challenges, and moving forward into a woman for her personal development.  Defintely not an easy journey at the best of times for anyone!

Now onto Caitlin, who has blossomed into a young lady and matured much quicker that I am ready for...

Caitlin  who will be seventeen in September, has been doing well at school and participated in two dance performances through her school program that she was involved in.  Through this she met her boyfriend, Clayton.  They have been together for several months now.  Clayton is a delightful young man, who really watches out for Caitlin and has been a joy to have around our home.



Caitlin has one more year of highschool, and then she has chosen to go to college here in Calgary for Journalism and Communications.  Caitlin has really been developing her writing skills and has gained many new techniques in her writing style.  She spends a great deal of time recently on the computer and doing research for her studies ...a great learning tool for her future.

Caitlin is going to be doing some traveling to British Columbia again this summer with her friend Ashley from school.  They went there last summer and had a great time.

I am still working at the Calgary Drop In Centre.   The website for my work is:
http://www.cdics.com/   .....I have been there almost two years now,  huge change from the contract jobs that I used to take on with traveling.  This has been a great place to work, and I have learned a great deal of both myself, and how far I have come in my journey of life.  I enjoy giving back to those that are still working on over coming challenges.   I have been able to carry forth with my Personal Development Education and enhancing my life skills as well, working at the Drop In Centre.

I am now working days, after almost two years of nighshifts.  It is a good change, that works much better for the girls.  I am enjoying working with my new co-workers and find it much easier to do more of my community development work with the clients.  My first couple of weeks, I was able to spend time with clients developing resumes and assisting them with job searches.  I enjoy working at assisting clients who are working on making positive changes in their lives and moving forward to help themselves.

 As you know it is often one step forward and three steps backwards.  and yet I find that many of our clients still keep plugging away at making changes and trying to better themselves.  I find it is important to really acknowledge the small steps that they make.  I really notice how many clients really appreciate this gesture more so on the dayshift, as there is more time to do follow up work with them.  I have felt this is an important step as many of the clients who I work with, are past clients of mine from my previous job, so there has been some continuity.  I see many clients who will come and seek me out where I work now, just to check in with me and share updates.  I enjoy this aspect of my work.

 After having Calgary as my home base now for six years, I feel settled and have a sense of community here. I have continue with my volunteer work through my women's outreach community and have had many opportunities to do some special assignments with them.  This has been a blessing in my life, and continues to be an outreach ministry that I want to  continue to create and explore the many paths that it takes me .

Our outreach community has grown over the past few years, especially since I have established a home base in Western Canada.  With my travels through the USA,  and Canada , we have been able to expand our network and create an amazing community together.  There has been many changes and much growth with our network ...so much so that  we have decided to create a quarterly newsletter which will be published each season.  The first one will come out in August.

One major change that has taken place,  is that I will not be traveling as much  or as far in the next year.  Since I work days now at my full time work, this does not allow me time to be away from home base as much as in previous years.

Though we took a break from this ministry to redevelop our network,  and create new programs, we are now ready to start up again.  In a few months with our "Women on a Shoestring Program."  We are looking at beginning again in the fall season with a new collective kitchen and community garden program.  We are exploring ideas on having an container garden program which will provide  women with fresh herbs and vegetables so that they can create opportunites for themselves and develop homebased businesses. There are also women who would like to start creative crafts projects with sewing,beading, quiltng.  If you have any supplies that you would be willing to donate, please let me know. We are in need of some sewing machines and a place to work.  We are busy networking to gather some sewing machines for women. 


Our ultimate goal is to create a collective of women who work internationally and form local co-ops to assist women to have home based businesses.  Our goal is to have a core group who will meet and create an international organization for low income women.

As many of you are well aware, I like to keep busy, creative and productive.  Fortunately for me, both my job and my volunteer work, help me to explore my creative and adventurous side in all areas that keep me on my toes.

We would love to hear from you and know of your updates and life adventures.  Email us when you get a chance, and share news of your family, and community.