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Stories of Community Support Rose Circle
As Judith Duerk says in her book, Circle of Stones, “How might your life have been different if there had been a place for you? A place for you to go, a place of women, to help you learn the ways of woman.” This is a sentiment that many women have expressed when they come to the Rose Circle Mentoring training, looking for a way to assist girls during their difficult life passage. These mentors breathe a sigh of relief when they find they need not have all the answers to the many situations experienced by the girls. In fact, it is not about having answers at all. It is about being there to listen, to find value in the girls’ developing sense of self, and to guide them when there is some appropriate course of action to take. The Rose Circle fosters community and offers ongoing support for women and girls. The Bread for the Journey of Ashland grant of $600 is a significant asset in launching the new one-on-one mentoring program this year. See www.therosecircle.org Jackson County Fuel Committee
Full-time volunteer Randall Jones and a host of other big-hearted people believe that no one should have to choose between paying for food or medication and paying their heating bill. Since 1978, this all-volunteer force of citizenry has been helping to provide emergency firewood as well as a utility advocacy benefit to prevent or reverse shut-offs during southern Oregon’s chilly winters. Bread for the Journey of Ashland was thrilled to grant $600 toward this group’s important and potentially life-saving work. Boys To Men of Southern Oregon Boys To Men of Southern Oregon is a mentoring program that recognizes the special challenges that boys face in today’s world. “Many of them have too few positive role models or far too many negative examples of masculinity,” says administrator Peter Young. The staff of trained volunteers and professionals are committed to creating a safe, strong, supportive environment that both nurtures and challenges boys. Bread for the Journey of Ashland is proud to grant $600 to this nonprofit so they may expand their programs to include activities such as a ropes course, camping excursions, and wilderness backpacking trips that are built around specific themes, e.g., bullying, sexuality, and core values. See www.boystomennw.org Rhythm Soul
Patty Aulik teaches percussion classes in schools, juvenile halls, senior centers, community groups, and in her own studio. One day, at a class in a school, Patty discovered that creating a story with a musical elephant not only delighted the children, but assisted them in focusing on the music lesson. This discovery soon led to her writing “Morrie’s Bach Adventure” plus a set of reader guidelines to aid a non-percussionist in facilitating a group. “Morrie, a rather blue-colored elephant, demonstrates curiosity, humor, love, devotion, playfulness, and how to address fear,” says Patty. Bread for the Journey of Ashland was happy to grant $400 toward the publication of her book and accompanying CD. BearHugs Foundation BearHugs Foundation is a one-woman “have bears will travel” operation. It exists solely to offer kindness and unconditional love to people in need through the gifts of kindly-looking, soft and cuddly teddy bears. “These bears are welcomed by people of all ages,” points out director Kay Lavonne Crider, who also notes that the foundation’s current focus is in taking the bears to assisted-living facilities and hospitals, “but anyone in the area who wants a companion bear, regardless of their situation, will get one.” Bread for the Journey of Ashland gave BearHugs Foundation a grant of $400 to purchase — you guessed it — more bears! The Ashland Oracle Magazine The Ashland Oracle is a publication dedicated to “conscious living” in southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley. It showcases individuals and organizations in the community who live according to “consciousness” principles. Managing Editor Alexis McKenna notes two examples recently featured: (1) A service organization whose purpose is to help leaders develop more of the complex skills needed in this rapidly changing world; and, (2) a technology company that invented a machine to create building materials from agricultural residue. Bread for the Journey of Ashland gladly granted $800 to The Ashland Oracle to help them continue to promote conscious living. The Welcome Home Project Both non-partisan and non-political, the Welcome Home Project is a community-centered “welcome home” program for veterans of foreign wars — especially Iraq and Afghanistan — and their families. A five-day event, slated for May 22-26, will be held at Buckhorn Springs Resort near Ashland, Oregon. Its purpose is to create community among these veterans, and to encourage expression and healing through story, art, writing, and movement. Michael Meade, noted mythologist, storyteller and author, will facilitate. This event also serves to bring into the public eye a much greater awareness of the issues faced by returning vets. Healing can happen when the burdens of war are shared with the larger community. The Rogue Valley’s local businesses, organizations and individuals will be donating food, services, materials, airline miles, advertising and volunteer time. Bread for the Journey of Ashland happily granted $1,000 to organizers Bill McMillan and Kim Shelton for this big welcome home. See www.thewelcomehomeproject.org Inner Child Café Inner Child Café is a family oasis, the ultimate fusion of parent refuge with engaging playspace for children. Parents may enjoy lunch or snacks while their children romp in the colorful and interactive 2,500-square-foot indoor play arena. Workshops and classes for the kids are also offered in their classroom. Bread for the Journey of Ashland gave a $200 grant to assist in scholarships for families who cannot afford the membership fee. See www.innerchildcafe.net Sharing Local Stories Thomas Doty, storyteller, teacher and author, recognizes that the stories about and interactions with the place people call home are essential to the wellbeing of a community. He plans to host and facilitate “Sharing Local Stories” in association with The Talent ( Oregon) Historical Society. Each of these ninety-minute programs will include a performance and a reading by Doty, an offering from a guest storyteller, and discussions and activities centered on that month’s theme. The Website www.DotyCoyote.com will be the online home for this program; visitors will be able to listen to previous programs and allow online posting of stories. Doty is convinced of the value in “the difference it makes when people are not only aware of stories of their home, but actively add their stories to this treasured pot of folklore and history.” A grant of $500 from Bread for the Journey of Ashland will help with start-up and promotional costs for this vibrant community forum. The Great Silent Grandmother Gathering
Sharon Mehdi’s inspirational story of two grandmothers standing silently in the local park as their way to help “save the world,” has become a global phenomenon, galvanizing its many readers over its hopeful message of small actions that can make the world a better place. http://grandmotherbook.com Bread for the Journey of Ashland contributed $600 to Sharon’s Peace Pilgrimage bringing her and her uplifting message to many cities and conferences throughout the country. Small Steps toward Big Love
Small Steps is a children's center that provides high-quality care for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Their philosophy is a center grounded in love that affirms diversity in culture, class, race and religious beliefs. Many of the families are referred by welfare agencies, tribal nations and charitable human service organizations. A Scholarship Fund was created to provide low- or no-cost services to 8-12 qualifying families per year who do not have the financial means to pay for childcare as they seek or maintain employment. Bread for the Journey of Ashland was honored to contribute $600 to their scholarship fund. http://www.mfccor.com/smallsteps.html Compassionate Care After Someone Has Died
Marian Spadone is an artist whose personal mission is "to change the way our modern culture handles death.” This means reclaiming actual hands-on care of loved ones who have died, as well as re-thinking burial or cremation choices to reflect ecologically sound principles. She is involved in leading several projects toward achieving this goal. One is to lead a circle of people who are training to do in-home after-death care. A second is to assemble a gallery exhibit of hand-painted and decorated shrouds and burial containers, inviting people to examine a casket, shroud or cremation urn without being in an ”immediate need” situation. The first show stimulated much community discussion and creativity. In a third project, Marian brings cremation containers to high school classes in order to have students talk about death and make art with the feelings that arise in the process. These decorated ”boxes” are then given to local funeral homes for the homeless or others who are unable to afford funeral costs. Bread for the Journey of Ashland gave Marian a grant of $700 to help support further development of each of these caring initiatives. Inner Child Café – Ashland’s Treasure
Inner Child Cafe is a restaurant with internet access, a gift store, an indoor play space and a community classroom. Children are able to play while parents check e-mail, study, meet with friends or take part in one of the many groups that meet there. Providing a warm, safe, indoor space for children and adults to come together, the cafe places an emphasis on supporting the creation of healthy families. In a world where so many places are off limits to young children, Inner Child Cafe is truly a community treasure. Bread for the Journey of Ashland was happy to provide a grant of $600 for "scholarship memberships" to low-income families who would otherwise be unable to take advantage of the facilities. http://www.innerchildcafe.net For the Next Seven Generations, the Grandmothers Speak
Agnes Baker Pilgrim is 82 years young and the oldest living female elder from the Takelma Band of the Rogue River Indians. Honored as a “Living Treasure” by her tribe, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz, and as a “Living Cultural Legend” by the Oregon Council of the Arts, Agnes participates in spiritual and educational events and ceremonies, speaking to youth and adults about protecting the Earth and living a balanced, productive life. Agnes shares her native crafts and wisdom with groups all over the world. She is chairwoman of the International Council of the Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers, and will be featured in a documentary by Carole Hart, called “For the Next Seven Generations, the Grandmothers Speak.” Last year this Council gathered in Oaxaca, Mexico and Dharamsala, India, where they had an audience with the Dalai Lama. Bread for the Journey of Ashland was happy to provide a grant of $800 to the Agnes Baker Pilgrim Fund to assist in supporting her work this year. www.agnesbakerpilgrim.org Mama YogaAs one of the premier yoga teachers in Ashland, Sheryl Grunde offers a wonderful pre- and post-natal yoga program. She leads women in yoga while they are pregnant and then leads them in specially designed poses and stretches that include their newborns once they give birth. Bread for the Journey of Ashland gave Mama Yoga a grant of $250 to give scholarships to women who would otherwise not be able to take her classes. Rogue Valley Peace Choir Peace Journey
Rogue Valley Peace Choir member Hideko Snider was just ten years old and living in Hiroshima when the U.S. dropped the first atomic bomb. Her mother (who also loved to sing) was among the hundreds of thousands who lost their lives. Like all the Peace Choir’s members, Hideko believes that presenting songs of peace, compassion and harmony can bring solace and comfort to many who have lived through the terrors of war, as it has for her. Rose Circle
Dances for the Disadvantaged
Peggy Paver approached Bread for the Journey with an idea. She wanted to make her dance class program accessible to disadvantaged teenage girls who would not normally be able to experience the dynamic and creative art of dance. Peggy says, “The beauty of dance is that it can express ideas in so many ways. These girls will grow and flourish here." Bread for the Journey of Ashland was happy to extend a grant of $600 to Peggy . Danceability Intergenerational Project
Susan Kraemer recently developed a program called the Danceability Intergenerational Project. She teaches children dance, poetry, art and theater. Susan and the children then travel to Senior Centers and Assisted Living Centers to interact with the seniors. The lives of all involved are equally enhanced. Bread for the Journey of Ashland was happy to extend a grant to Susan of $600. A Compassionate Art Melanie Dimes is a nurse who is dedicated to assisting people in "the end-of-life process." She approached Bread for the Journey for help with purchasing the books required for a year-long training program that would assist people in getting through this process. During the year, she will be volunteering 150 hours at Skylark Assisted Living Center and, when complete, will be training other practitioners in this compassionate art. Bread for the Journey of Ashland was happy to extend a grant to Melanie of $300. Peer Presence For a young man in his twenties, Dominic Allamano is already quite passionate about his life mission. Dominic is a gifted orator who brings social awareness, preparedness, and hope to others of his generation. He travels extensively, speaking and sharing ideas with other young people who wish to support a harmonious world community. Inspired by his vision and fortitude, Bread for the Journey of Ashland provided $100 to assist Dominic with his program. World Youth Service Enterprise Tom Shelstad has the distinct honor of having been selected as one of approximately 30 young people from around the world – and the only person selected from the U.S. – to participate in the 2006 World Youth Service (WYS) intensive leadership training program, to be held in Italy. The mission of WYS is to “awaken the great qualities in tomorrow’s leaders in all professions, services and trades, for global harmony and prosperity.” With a $400 grant from Bread for the Journey of Ashland, Tom will join other dedicated young people as they develop leadership skills that transcend borders. Learn more at http://italy.takingitglobal.org Visionary Solutions A $400 gift from Bread for the Journey of Ashland is helping Michelle Engel obtain 501(c) 3 non-profit status for Visionary Solutions, an organization dedicated to providing a cooperative network for teachers and healers. Visionary Solutions provides educational materials and gifts, educational classes and workshops, and consciousness-shifting projects and events that convey messages of hope, freedom and empowerment in these modern times of accelerated change. Visit Visionary Solutions at http://www.visionarysolutions.org Environmental Technology Mentorship
The Ashland School of Environmental Technology (ASET) is a nonprofit organization in Ashland, Oregon, that provides hands-on education and inspiration to students while simultaneously developing simple, positive solutions to global environmental problems. A $500 grant from Bread for the Journey of Ashland is helping to launch a new program that pairs skilled mentors with inventive high-school and college students. Find out more about ASET by visiting www.greeninventor.org The Natural Child Project Through her psychotherapy practice, Jan Hunt has come to realize the untold challenges that parents are faced with in raising children, and that few ever receive training in this precious art. Her vision includes a world where all children are treated with dignity, respect, understanding and compassion, and where each child can grow into adulthood with a generous capacity for love and trust. Bread for the Journey of Ashland gave a $500 grant for the development of “Parenting Cards.” One of 100 cards can be drawn whenever a parent needs inspiration and encouragement, or just a gentle reminder that parenting can be a joyful experience. The cards offer help in dealing with everyday parenting issues in a realistic, humane and respectful way that enhances the bond between parent and child. Through our connection with the Illinois Valley Safe House, Parenting Cards were purchased and gifted to women who were graduating from a program for survivors of abuse. For more information, see www.naturalchild.org or contact 866-593-1547. Philosophy in the Classroom When philosophy professors Prakash Chenjeri and Mitchell Frangadakis go into local high schools to speak, they find that the students are hungry for what they have to say. Prakash and Mitchell teach young people how to think rather than what to think. They offer tools to help them examine their assumptions and judgments about the world and gain insight into the sources and consequences of their thinking. Their open-mindedness is nurtured so that viewpoints that differ from their own can be fully heard and assessed. Bread for the Journey of Ashland is excited to offer “The Philosophical Forum” a grant of $750 to make a film of their pilot workshop, which will take place in a local high school. Once this occurs, the program can be offered to other schools in the Rogue Valley. For more information, contact chenjeri@sou.edu or wisdom@mind.net. Amazigh - “Free People” Youssef Baiddou was born into the arms of the Shlul tribe of Berber in the remote Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Having grown up in the United States, Youssef has always had a dream to help keep the music and culture of this rich history alive. Armed with an interdisciplinary degree in biology, indigenous studies, music and film, Youseff — along with his wife Syndee — is starting a Fair Trade organization with offices in Williams, Oregon. They will assist the Amazigh and other indigenous cultures to attain financial freedom and also to share their life-ways, language, and earth-based spirituality with the world. As they travel to remote lands, they will play and record spontaneously with local musicians. Their aim is to demonstrate the healing power of music as they create modern inter-cultural dialogue based in mutual respect. Bread for the Journey of Ashland is supporting this dream by giving a grant of $175 to assist them in registering as a Fair Trade business so they can bring back and market Berber arts, crafts and music. Youssef and Syndee may be contacted at berber@envirocitizen.com Healing Violence in Men The experiential workshops designed by the trainers of “Accountability in Men” (AIM) developed in response to incidents of violence in and around Ashland by college-aged men. A Southern Oregon University administrator, the head football coach, representatives from the Ashland Police Department, members of the Women’s Resource Center, the Dean of Students and, finally, the Southern Oregon University Provost, all participated in a dialogue to discover a creative approach in dealing with this complex issue. In January 2005, the University Provost approved the pilot program developed by AIM and its delivery was successful, showing promise for future programs. Along with principles that outline healthy male identity gleaned from over 20 years of working with men, the AIM staff is eager to facilitate support teams so that those who go through the program can take what they learn into their everyday relationships with a sense of accountability and responsibility. AIM Trainings Inc. is a non-profit organization — soon to be 501(c)3 — and a $700 grant from Bread for the Journey of Ashland is going toward the continued development and marketing of this fine program. See www.AIM-Trainings-inc.org for more information. Food for People For seven years, Pamela Joy has made her living as a clown and mime. She has always felt badly about the starving people in the world. Now she and a few volunteers serve more than 1000 people a week by picking up dated dairy products, breads and produce from local markets, and distributing the food to seven local groups that feed the hungry. Recently, Pamela’s food rescue project drew praise from Access, Inc., southern Oregon’s largest provider of emergency food. Bread for the Journey of Ashland gave a grant of $1,000 to Pamela to enclose and cool a room in her garage. This room will serve as a walk-in fridge so that the life of the food may be extended between deliveries. “This Is Ashland” Everness is non-profit organization that seeks to stimulate and promote sustainable living and spiritual consciousness through films, documentaries and educational programs. From artists and musicians to unique stores and restaurants to alternative building and energy production, there are many creative endeavors that are found right here in this town. Blue Star Spirit, filmmaker for this DVD project, is filled with enthusiasm as he walks the streets of Ashland finding the uniqueness that may not be readily noticed. Bread for the Journey of Ashland granted $250 to Everness for one of its programs called “This is Ashland,” a subscription-based DVD that will be available soon. The DVD will highlight some options for creative living in these times. Creating So That Others May Create On November 12th our chapter sponsored a very special fund-raising celebration featuring a unique dining experience from the mind, heart, and hands of popular Ashland Chef Josh Bradley, culinary artist extraordinaire. The inspirational theme for event was "Creating So That Others May Create." The seven-course dining adventure was hosted at the exquisite home of Anita Gambos, and was attended by 23 guests who, by all reports, had a wonderful evening of fine dining, live music (provided by a theatrical guest and a singing waiter), and lots of lively conversation. The event was our fund-raising success of the quarter grossing over $2,700 in cash donations.
The Eagle Horse Foundation
The Eagle Horse Foundation of Ashland is a community of caring and dedicated people who offer children from all backgrounds an opportunity to develop self-esteem and responsibility by caring for, learning from, and riding horses. Bread for the Journey of Ashland's contribution of $1000 is being used to support the foundation's policy of turning no child away. The Frustrated Warrior Debra Hurt is a workshop facilitator, an energy kinesiologist, and an artist in Ashland. She has developed a unique educational experience called The Frustrated Warrior for people who are actively engaged in changing the world for the better through an awareness of personal choices. A goal of the workshop is to help minimize stress by offering simple techniques for managing one's life in these challenging times. Bread for the Journey of Ashland fulfilled Debra's dream by giving her a grant of $600 to pay for a full-day pilot session to be offered to high school students. If the pilot works, she will present it to the local school system. The Abundance Swap Fueled by a small group of dreamers of new social inventions, the Abundance Swap was started as a way to find and give holiday gifts in a very different way. It offers an alternative to holiday shopping without a money exchange or the need to manufacture more things. The Abundance Swap is an event where people can bring their fun and beautiful items that they no longer fully enjoy or use, but are in good condition, and go home with something else (see www.abundanceswap.org). The event's rules are simple: bring something to give that you'd like to receive, then take something that you'd like to give to somebody else. Bread for the Journey of Ashland was delighted to support the Abundance Swap with its third annual event in Ashland by giving them a grant of $100 to pay for rental space. Follow up: Bread for the Journey of Ashland was again happy to extend a grant of $35 to the Ashland Abundance Swap. This grant would cover some of the expenses related to putting on an event for the public that honors the spirit of giving in this season without adding to consumerism. See www.abundanceswap.org for info. One Sky One Sky is a dream of Christine Parini, who conceived it as a bridge between the people of the Amazon and those of our own culture. One Sky develops educational programs that emphasize the extreme value of an intact rainforest to the global community. Bread for the Journey of Ashland was happy to assist Christine with a grant of $500 to help with the start-up costs of this valuable non-profit organization. The Dream Team Contact us: Karen Schneider More Stories of Community Support Copyright
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