| Dear Friends, I imagine that you, like me, are still adjusting to the season where trees become bare, and the darkness descends. Last night I visited a neighbor whose father just passed away. On the long walk across the farm, I was dazzled by the clarity of the open sky, and brightness of the stars. In Chinese Medicine, late summer is the time for harvest, and autumn is the season of loss, grief and letting go. Feeling and expressing our grief, and letting go of what we don’t need, allows us receptivity to what is essential, according to 5-element acupuncture. Neil Gumenick, L.A.c, suggests that “in autumn we learn more about ourselves than in any other season…. Having provided the harvest, Nature now makes everything bare.” The collective grief feels palpable to me these days. Yet, within that grief, I feel so much gratitude. Here at PMP, we are celebrating a “harvest” of generosity that takes many forms. We are so grateful for the financial support of the community, and volunteers that are the backbone of PMP. We are grateful for our reciprocal relationships with community partners. A special thank you to Abundance Farm for choosing PMP to be their annual Tzedek non-profit recipient. Not only will all donations to their abundant community garden go to PMP, but they have continued to uplift our organization in the spirit of mutuality, collective action, and partnership. We are excited to build upon our partnership and dream up some fun collaborations in the new year. Now introducing our newest program: Wellness Through the Wall As the days darken, PMP is enkindling the ember that was started last spring, creating a bonfire to warm, connect, and provide healing to folks living under circumstances of incarceration. We are excited to be deepening our partnership with the Franklin County Sherriff’s Department to provide meaningful year-round programming for people involved in the criminal justice system, both “inside the wall” and out. You may remember that PMP piloted a 3-class herbal series at the Franklin County Jail last spring. Both Caroline Bruno, who runs the jail’s garden program, and Jenny Ables, who directs the education department, are passionate about bringing light, growth and opportunity to the lives of the residents. In addition to offering enriching workshops, the jail’s educational program supports residents to make community connections “outside the wall” even during incarceration. The program aims to build bridges between residents and community partners that support them to acquire tools, learn about resources, and expand their networks for succeeding once released. We all need community to succeed. Following last spring’s pilot, residents were hungry to continue learning about herbs and talking about health. Caroline and Jenny invited PMP to engage more deeply as a community partner, and step into a relationship that would expand residents’ connection to community resources ongoingly. We said yes! PMP launched a year-long program in herbalism at the Franklin County jail in October! Our team of 4 herbalists are creating an inspiring curriculum that will center topics requested by residents, through the lens of relationship to plants, to one’s own body, and wholeness and wellness. Also a program of the Sherriff’s Department, the Franklin County Re-Entry Center makes the transition to life outside a lot easier. The center staff works in collaboration with the jail staff to buffer the challenges facing a person who was recently released. PMP’s Carly Leusner, an herbalist and functional nutritionist, will be offering monthly herbal workshops at the center. We’re even exploring the possibility of starting a mini-clinic on site. As we descend into the darkness of the season, join me in giving thanks for all the fires of hope and healing that are burning all around the world, at this very moment! Love, Leslie Dear Friends, |
| More in this issue: -Fundraising Campaign -Calling All Artists! -Program Updates |
