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"A mind that is stretched to a new idea never returns to its original dimension." --Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
Hello all! This week’s stories highlight creativity, resilience and commitment. A grieving mother loses two sons and, in their honor, decides to transform a neglected area into a small village of beauty and opportunity. In Amsterdam, an eco-floating community has been developed to support modern living. AND, after 70 years of continued effort, Belize has officially been declared malaria-free! Led by age-old values of compassion, kindness and determination, remarkable things are being done. May we always remember the inherent strength, creativity and resilience found within us. Wishing you a wonderful week!
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Avalon Village Website
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Shamayim Harris, also known as "Mama Shu", has endured the unimaginable pain of losing two of her children. Determined to transform her grief into something positive, she embarked on a mission to revitalize her struggling community in Highland Park, near Detroit, which had suffered as the automotive industry declined, with residents leaving, crime increasing, and storefronts closing. Mama Shu's vision began when she purchased a house on Avalon Street, despite not having the full funds. Over the years, she acquired additional lots and enlisted volunteers to clean up and refurbish the area. In 2016, she established the Avalon Village, a nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing the street and creating a safe space for the community. The flagship project of the village is the Homework House, an after-school hub fully refurbished from an abandoned house. Equipped with a library, computers, a music studio, and more, Mama Shu wanted to provide resources lacking in the local schools. Avalon Village also features a STEM Lab, a basketball court, and the Goddess Marketplace, which supports women artisans and entrepreneurs. Mama Shu's ultimate goal is to continue expanding the village, including plans for a café, a greenhouse, a laundromat, and a wellness center. She envisions a beautiful Avalon Street spreading its positive impact throughout the entire city, fueled by her determination to honor her sons' spirits and resilience. An example to us all, Mama Shu has turned her grief into power, finding the energy to drive forward and create a better world.
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Clker-Free-Vector-Images | Pixabay
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The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Belize as malaria-free, following the country's over 70 years of continued efforts to stamp out the disease. "WHO congratulates the people and government of Belize and their network of global and local partners for this achievement. Belize is another example of how, with the right tools and the right approach, we can dream of a malaria-free future," said Dr. Teodoros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. With this announcement, a total of 42 countries and 1 territory have been certified as malaria-free by WHO, including 11 countries in the Region of the Americas.
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Schoonship and Isabel Nabuurs
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Imagine being part of a floating eco-community where homes are solar powered and surplus energy is shared among neighbors, bikes and electric vehicles are available for everyone to use and a weekly plunge into the water is a year-round activity! Marjan de Blok, one of the residents of Amsterdam's Schoonship Development, had the idea over 10 years ago of creating a thriving and collaborative community through sustainable housing. By the end of 2018, the first prefabricated homes or 'arks' were installed. Positive.News reports that today Schoonship Development has 30 'arks' and is home to over 120 adults and 40 children. This special community believes that by offering tours and making their knowledge open-source, others may be inspired to create their own unique ways to solve loneliness and unaffordable housing through co-living communities.
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Clay Banks | Unsplash
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Life can change in an instant with a hot cup of coffee filled with unconditional love. That's the gift Roderick Duncan, owner of God Body Gym in Memphis, Tennessee, gave to 24-year-old Bryan Taylor. Duncan repeatedly found Taylor, a young homeless man, sleeping in one of Duncan's old cars at the back of the gym. After several unsuccessful attempts to try to stop Taylor from sleeping in his car, Duncan decided offering a cup of coffee and a chance to talk might make be a better approach. According to CBS News, that was the beginning of a developing relationship between the two. Duncan continues to offer support and mentorship to Taylor, understanding that, with love and forgiveness, real change is possible.
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Joe Okpako
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New Ground, London's commune for older women, began in 1998, with six women who wanted to create an older women's co-housing community, and opened in 2016, with 25 apartments -- of which eight are social housing -- and communal areas, a flat where friends and relatives can stay, and a common house where they can eat together, watch films and attend groups and classes. There are currently 26 residents, ranging from 55 to 93. They don't provide medical or personal care, but they do look out for each other; a 'buddy' system means they will notice, for instance, if their neighbor doesn't put their lights on, and support is there if it's needed. The residents often meet local councillors or give talks on co-housing and its benefits, particularly for older people. The UK has an ageing population, and New Ground shows how older people can be self-sufficient.
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