posted on June 26, 2009 by Kate Fagan Taylor, Executive Director
Last night Richard LeBlanc was our featured guest at Passionate Lives and shared about the exciting next steps for the Woodwyn Farm Project. More than 100 guests joined in the dinner and dialogue to learn more about the development of this therapeutic community, which will help to provide a real solution - "a hand up, not a handout" for hundreds of homeless people in Victoria. Queenswood is proud to be a supporter of this project because it addresses several of the most pressing social issues we face today-- the ecology, homelessness, and belief in citizen-led change. We're happy to be donating the net proceeds of the evening to Woodwyn Farm.
Richard shared the long-term plan for the Woodwyn Farm property in Saanich, which is now legally in the care of the Homelfullness Society. It includes many exciting therapeutic elements including a market garden, orchards, beekeeping, berry fields, horse training, the restoration of the creeks on the property, and the cultivation of traditional native camas. Caring for the land will be the focus for the community of formerly homeless men and women. Eating food that they themselves grow will be part of the physical, emotional and spiritual healing process for participants. (For more details on the proven value of this therapeutic model click here to check out an article from Monday magazine last year.) Richard reported that work and repairs on the property are moving ahead with the enthusiastic help of more than 60 volunteers at the last workparty. The final elements of the program now are being determined, including an off-site residence for the first group to live in community while working on the farm. Congratulations to Richard, the Homefulness Society Board, and all the many volunteers and supporters who are making this dream a reality by daring to, as the project's slogan says, "believe in people!"
Posted on June 26, 2009 by Marina Smith, ssa, Community Relations Coordinator
This month Queenswood hosted the Board and members of the Residential School Committee for their AGM and Board meeting. On June 13th, National Chief Phil Fontaine shared his thoughts with them and listened to them. He was very open and welcomed everyone to present their personal perspectives to the Truth and Reconciliation Committee. Queenswood was glad to support this committee which is so committed to making ongoing healing possible for all who were part of the residential schools.
Submitted on June 24, 2009 by Marina Smith, Community Relations Coordinator
Every Wednesday morning our gardener, Bill Ball, is delighted to see Peter Gubbles arriving. He works in various projects as needed, usually accompanied by Ray Painchaud. One day, he is clearing brush and weeds, then disposing of these. Another day, he is clearing paths and trails, and adding mulch to these. We can now see the stone steps on the paths. He also plants. After preparing our roof garden, he put chives in various sized pots on it. Recently, he planted parsley outside, and now is fencing it, because the deer have been enjoying it before the staff of Queenswood kitchen can pick it. Like Bill Ball, Peter adds to the beauty and practicality of the grounds of Queenswood, and his joyful, generous spirit and love of the outdoors lifts our spirits. Thanks, Peter.
[Photo by David Peterson; on display at Queenswood]
Posted on June 15, 2009 by Stefan Jonsson, Programs and Marketing Coordinator
I found this radio show on the internet a few months ago and thought it would be great to share on our Queenswood blog, because I think it aims to feed our spirituality in the same way that Queenswood does. The show is Speaking of Faith, hosted by Krista Tippett produced by American Public Media. Here's a small excerpt from their About Us page:
"Krista takes a narrative, or first-person, approach to religious and philosophical conversation. She draws out the intersection of theology and human experience, of grand religious ideas and real life. A weekly national program since July 2001, Speaking of Faith is not so much about religion per se, but about drawing out compelling and challenging voices of wisdom on the most important subjects of 21st-century life; thereby creating a different kind of in-depth, revealing, illuminating dialogue than can be elicited by traditional journalistic treatments and debates. Topics range from "Einstein and the Mind of God" to "The Spirituality of Parenting" to "Diplomacy and Religion in the 21st Century.""
And here's a YouTube video interview with Krista Tippett about her life and on the role of religion in the media:
You can find Speaking of Faith on the web here http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/index.shtml and you can download their podcasts here http://speakingoffaith.org/podcast/podcast.xml (if you don't have an application for downloading podcasts, you can download iTunes here).
You can also download shows or listen to them in streaming audio. Just find a program from their archives section and choose your preference.
Posted on June 11, 2009 by Stefan Jonsson, Programs and Marketing Coordinator
Last month Queenswood staff and guests found 3 new fawns huddled together in a private part of the forest. Does give birth to at the most 3 fawns, so we're lucky to have so many new additions! They were born about 3 weeks ago, and they're already bouncing around the property with their mother every morning.
[Photo by Joanne Balchin; on display at Queenswood].
