The Holistic Homestead has been working from the grassroots up since 2013 to Build Healthy Communities through education, outreach, and advocacy. But we haven’t made it this far on our own steam! It has taken thousands of volunteer hours, a growing network of members, sponsors, and philanthropists who believe in our mission to improve health and wellness by empowering our community.
That’s why I’m so grateful for the support we have received from Friends of the Gilpin Community Center to make this year’s Farmers Market season possible! Friends is a fellow nonprofit based in Gilpin County, comprised of community members who rallied to save our Community Center after the pandemic. Click here to read about the great outreach and advocacy work Friends does in our small mountain community!
While Friends of the Community Center is an independent nonprofit, we have a shared vision of creating a healthier, happier community. How are we actually realizing our dream?
Collaboration
Whether you are an individual, private business or nonprofit, collaboration is absolutely key to improving community health. Community health includes access to healthy food, transportation, exercise, a clean environment, and access to affordable health care. Since our founding, the Homestead has reached across the mountains to connect with Government agencies like Human Services, Parks & Recreation, Area Agencies on Aging, and Public Health; fellow nonprofits like Friends of the Community Center, Nederland Farmers Market, and Mountain Forum for Peace; as well as private businesses such as Evergreen Dental Group, Bright Heart Catering, Realtor Tony Thorpe and Bowyer D’Alessandro and Associates. What do all these organizations have in common? A commitment to building healthy communities through collaboration with the Homestead!
Look after the overlooked
The Homestead has always been committed to the underserved and marginalized individuals in our community. That’s why we prioritize free access to community events, offering our Pay-What-You-Can Farm to Table Cafe generously sponsored by United Power, accepting EBT/SNAP benefits, and staff/volunteer training on making the Homestead a SAFE SPACE for everyone in our community regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, political affiliation, or alternate ability. THE HOMESTEAD IS HERE FOR EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY
Engage with the Community!
Community engagement is NOT EASY! And chiming in on a Facebook post just doesn’t count – sorry folks. But where do you start? First, take the pulse of your community:
- GO TO THE FARMERS MARKETS, RECREATION CENTERS, LOCAL RESTAURANTS, COFFEE SHOPS AND MUSIC VENUES.
- Meet your neighbors!
- Walk around your neighborhood.
- Host a potluck, yard sale, block party.
HOW DO YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY? Tell us about it in the comments below!
