The Village Gathers

If selected as a winner I would use the funding and support to advance our mission by purchasing land in or around Baltimore to create an edible garden/forest. Every plant on our base will be edible, along with setting up a hydroponic system to grow more food. 

We will repurpose old school buses to convert them into our Veggie buses that will go around to food dessert areas within the DMV area to distribute fresh fruits and veggies to families and individuals in need.

This edible acreage will be the base for our nonprofit The Village Gathers. A Biophilic Innovation life garden that aims to provide Food, Shelter and assist in the pursuit of purpose while keeping nature in mind and the impact our footprint has on this Earth.

Everyone deserves a chance to seek out their true potential. Village Gathers creates the space and community for others to connect, discover, create and form a deeper connection with nature. Without failure there is no success and allowing humanity the space to fail is vital. The support that is offered will propel us forward in reaching our goal. Having mentorship and support will not only help us but the community.

I was raised on the sunny island of Trinidad. I grew up in a community that was an extension of my family. Walking home from school being able to pick a mango or guava from a tree for a snack, and running barefoot in the soft warm dirt. At seven years old I came to the USA to live with my father in Jamaica Queens. Gone were the days of climbing trees, and having a sense of community. I became withdrawn and depressed. At 19 our brownstone was firebombed someone wanted us out so they can increase rent. No one cared that our lives had been in danger,after a year fighting my aunt gave up and moved.

The Village Gathers wants to empower individuals with the knowledge that they are the CEOs of their own life. By providing healthy food, and eco-friendly housing it allows the opportunity to focus and have a clear mind on what their purpose or purposes might be. While keeping nature in mind it sets the sustainable tone for the foundation of their business having a positive impact on our environment. 

We will also build green roofed eco-friendly homes and help individuals attain home ownership.

There are 3 problems we are solving. Food, Shelter and assisting in the pursuit of purpose.

Food: “Food deserts” are geographic areas where access to affordable, healthy food options such as fresh fruits and veggies are limited or nonexistent because grocery stores are too far away. 23.5 million people live in food deserts. Nearly half of them are also low-income.Food deserts may be under-reported because the North American Industry Classification System places small corner grocery stores that mostly sell packaged food in the same category as grocery stores like Safeway and Whole Foods.

Solution: Our edible garden will be a fresh food source to residents that live in food desserts. Our mobile bus will be able to deliver to these areas providing these produce at no cost to families and individuals.

Shelter: In 2020, there were about 580,466 homeless people living in the United States.In the last two years it has started to increase. On a single night in January 2020 37,252 veterans were experiencing homelessness. 22,048 veterans were sheltered, while 15,204 veterans were unsheltered. 

Solution: We have paired up with an ecofriendly developer to create eco-friendly holistic communities and help in achieving home ownership and connecting them with the right financial resources to maintain a financially holistic lifestyle.

Our work is innovative because we focus on the WHOLE aspect of humanity. It is important to find your purpose because it allows us to live a healthier happier life thus affecting how we treat ourselves and others around us. This in turn has a positive effect on how we care for our planet. 

Providing people with a green space to create, share and inspire others while also being able to form a business idea, concept or launch their vision. Being able to connect with nature which has shown to have so many health benefits on humans, as well as sparking creativity.

We are innovative because we are providing a full edible forest to low income communities that serve as a life garden where they can invest in themselves and nature. Each one can teach one while creating a revenue stream and empowering and individual with the right positive mindset.

Its hard to think about your purpose when your hungry and always worried about where you will be laying your head at night. Or whats happening with the environment and climate change if you feel like you do not even have a home in this world.

We are working with a ecofriendly developer that will help us create green communities that have a positive affect on our environment. Reducing carbon footprint of the homeowners.

Bringing awareness to the importance of nature. Humanaity and nature are one.