Welcome to the very first newsletter for Build Repair Grow. I’d like to start by thanking everyone for your support and interest in this project, as I’ve worked to grow BRG from a dream to a new nonprofit organization.
As you know, Build Repair Grow offers skills-based workshops for young people at schools, farms, and community centers during out-of-school hours through Western and Central Massachusetts.
Build Repair Grow participants learn hands-on, practical skills related to growing food, cooking, repairing bikes, sewing, and basic carpentry, while developing increased resiliency, critical thinking, and problem-solving techniques through project-based learning. The elimination of home arts and shop classes from schools has created a gap that Build Repair Grow helps fill.
In this newsletter I’d like to share with you some details about current programs and future goals for Build Repair Grow, including:
- A brief summary of our programs
- A few updates
- Looking ahead
- Appreciation for our supporters
- An opportunity to donate and get involved
Introduction to Build Repair Grow Programs
Build Repair Grow programs are designed to build practical skills, resilience and confidence in young people so they can create change in their communities.
Our program offerings include:
- Single Session — 2/hours, $175 for 20 Students
- After School — 2/hours per day, one day/week, 4 consecutive weeks, $700 for 20 students
- Full Day Off — 8/hours, $1,400 for 20 students
- School Break — 8/hours per day, 4 consecutive days, $2,600 for 20 students
All programs are targeted to be age-appropriate for students in grades 3-12, and can be held at your school, farm or community center.
Updates
Election of Build Repair Grow officers
In February, Build Repair Grow formally incorporated as a nonprofit corporation in Massachusetts. Our team now includes:
- Libby Salerno Valdez, President, a postdoctoral fellow at the UMass School of Public Health and Health Sciences
- Suzanne Grubb, Treasurer and Clerk, an information manager at a startup data firm
- Logan McFadden, Executive Director
Potential partnership with a local farm and a high school work readiness program
Build Repair Grow is working on a collaboration with local organizations to create and lead a field trip program for high school students that will include information and activities to help students understand what a career in Farming and Food Systems might look like. In this program students will explore farms, food, and sustainability — plus social justice, health, and advocacy.
Working with UMass School of Public Health Graduate Students: Caitlin Rajala, Phoebe Wilkinson, Lucy Veilleux
Our Public Health Graduate Interns are compiling a review of research focusing on an asset-based, resilience theory approaches. Build Repair Grow has the potential to minimize risk and risk behaviors in youth by building resiliency and self-efficacy through the introduction of hands-on skills and socialization. This research will lay the foundation for more longitudinal program evaluations and illustrate the connection that Build Repair Grow has to Public Health.
Valley Free Radio Interview in October 2019
Listen to Logan McFadden being interviewed on Kickin’ It for Peace and Social Justice 10/27/19 with Rick Haggerty
Looking Ahead
May Kick-off event
We’re planning a kick-off celebration event to thank our supporters, introduce Build Repair Grow to the community, and have fun with the Build Repair Grow family. Stay tuned for more details and a save the date email.
Forming our advisory board
Scaling up our programs requires expertise in a lot of different areas, including the practical skills of carpentry, bike repair, cooking, and sewing; curriculum building for youth-centered instruction; as well as connections in the community with schools and others who may be interested in our programming. If you have special skills or knowledge and would like to serve on our Advisory Board, please contact Logan at logan@buildrepairgrow.org.
Incorporating as a 501(c)3
In the coming months, we’ll be applying for formal 501(c)3 status to be recognized as a charity by the IRS. Any donations made to Build Repair Grow in the meantime will still be tax deductible (to the extent allowed by law) provided that 501(c)3 status is granted in the future.
Thank You
Thank you so much to those who have helped Build Repair Grow get off the groud with in-kind donations, skills, support, and services.
- Thank you to Meryl LaTronica and everyone at Just Roots for all of your support since day one, when Build Repair Grow was just the tiniest seed of an idea
- Thank you to Susan Shaw at UMass Amherst School of Public Health for opening so many doors and fostering so many important connections within the university
- Thank you to Ayla Gavins, Patrick Connors, Miranda Fisher, students from The Chicken Coop School, and to everyone at The Farm School for advising, hosting pilot programs, and use of tools/materials
- Thank you to Leni Marcy, Becky Ashenden, Gretchen Laise, and Fabric of Life for fiscally sponsoring Build Repair Grow in its early phase
- Thank you to Tamar Russell Brown and Sitka Creations for logo, website design, and continued tech support
- Thank you to Reed Arahood for helping me reorganize all of the BRG tools and supplies
- Thank you to Paige Harris for photography
- Thank you to Moira Geary, Joanna Moest, and Katie Cavacco for early advising and brainstorms
- Thank you to Amelia Box for co-teaching a pilot workshop
- Thank you to Erica Letson for your research on Public Health theory early on
- Thank you to Richard E. Cavanaugh, Esq for legal advising
- Thank you to Amy Shapiro at Franklin County Community Development Corporation for business planning
- Thank you to Ray Belanger at New Vue for business planning
Thank you also to everyone who has donated tools and materials:
- Edie Heinemann
- Carole Groman
- Margaret Fitzpatrick
- Miranda Fisher
- Ben Gagnon
- Nicole Moore
- Phyllis Labanowski
- Laurel Wilbur
- Rick Scarpignato and Maki Building Supply
- Aimee Francaes
- Dana Sullivan
- Nancy Hazard
- Katie Cavacco
- Paul Harvey
And thank you to everyone who has met with me over the past few years to chat about this program and offer ideas, contacts, advice, etc. I am so grateful.
How to Help
I’d like to thank everyone reading this newsletter for your interest and support in helping Build Repair Grow launch and continue to scale up in the future.
Donate
Build Repair Grow relies on individual donors to help us cover our costs and teach needed skills to young people. Please consider making a donation to Build Repair Grow as we continue to lay the groundwork for our organization.
Individual donations are extremely important right now, as we are planting the seeds for future growth of the organization. Your support helps us offset program costs for all members of our community who wish to participate in Build Repair Grow workshops.
Spread the Word
If you can’t donate, please help us spread the word and share this newsletter with a friend and share the Build Repair Grow website on Facebook or social media.
I look forward to sharing the progress of Build Repair Grow with you in these monthly newsletters. Please forward this to a friend who might be interested in our organization to help our network grow.