“Action on behalf of life transforms. Because the relationship between self and the world is reciprocal, it is not a question of first getting enlightened or saved and then acting.

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As we work to heal the earth, the earth heals us.”

 

                                                                       ― Robin Wall Kimmerer

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Dear Friends, Visionaries, Change-Makers,

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Like us, are you feeling compelled to fuel regenerative initiaitves amidst all the challenges of our world?  2023 continues to be a year of renewal and growth at the farm.  People are craving  community, connection, nature, and purpose.  We are delighted to be experiencing increasing requests for in-person, outdoor programs from a variety of groups.

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Shimmering Light has a 26-year history of making nature-based education accessible to many people who may not normally have access.  Over the past 3 years we have had the privilege of new or expanded partnerships with programs that serve veterans, people with traumatic brain injuries, Indigenous Americans, inner city youth, people with differing abilities and those journeying through cancer. Program participants feel the support of the earth, learn new skills to reciprocate that support, and report feeling empowered and more connected to their own purpose and capabilities.  Just as our planet needs the diversity and wisdom of all beings in the plant, animal and mineral kingdoms to be regenerative, we need the participation of all the humans, all of our unique genius, to co-create a just, equitable and magnificent future.

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In order to continue to become more inclusive of all people and meet our financial needs, we are growing our Environmental Access Fund.  The Environmental Access Fund is a mechanism for providing equitable access to nature-based education with a goal to raise $10,000 in program funding for 2023.  Here are the two categories the funding supports:

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• Financial need-based funding is for those who self-identify as living on SSDI, SSI, Social Security, or Unemployment. Those living on reduced income and/or increased expenses due to: illness, uncovered medical expenses, the special needs of dependents and/or underemployment

 

• Paid participation for those who identify as Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latinx or have been otherwise racialized. We gratefully acknowledge that modern American agriculture, herbalism and nature connection practices rest squarely on the shoulders of many generations of black and brown people whose lands, labor and/or knowledge were taken by force.  We sadly acknowledge that less than 1% of the lands in the Northeastern U.S. are owned by people of color and that many do not have any access to natural spaces.  We seek to outreach and include more people of color in developing, leading and participating in our programs.

 

In 2022 the Environmental Access Fund enabled us to:

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• Develop and deliver 74 custom educational programs

• Welcome 525 participants to safe, in-person, outdoor, nature-based education

• Provide Environmental Access Funding for 317 participants – 60% of participants!

• Nurture new and expanded partnerships with Rochester City Recreation Earth Explorers, EquiCenter/Veteran’s Administration, Bridges for Brain Injury, several Indigenous elders/teachers, Rochester Ecology Partners and local medical professionals seeking new holistic approaches to wellness. 

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Please join us in making a gift to the Environmental Access Fund today!  You may donate online with the DONATE button below or mail a check to: Shimmering Light Farm & Renewal Center, PO Box 599, Canandaigua, NY 14424.  

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In Great Gratitude,

Deb Denome, Lead Steward and the Shimmering Light Steward Circle,  Mike O'Reilly, Bob Bulger, Nancy Rizzolo, Helen Smith, Barb Monsour and James Marshall

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You can make a donation here via PayPal even if you don't have a PayPal account.

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Shimmering Light Farm & Renewal Center is a DBA of Seeking Common Ground, Inc, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.   You may obtain a copy of the last financial report filed by the organization with the NYS attorney general by visiting www.charitiesnys.com.

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Thank you for your Generous Support!!