This fall, the Sweet Water Foundation team has been focused on the "three R's," returning to our routines, rituals, and reflections. Team members honed in on their specific pathways - from energy to education, carpentry, systems, storytelling, and media - as we shifted to Fall Flows. We also welcomed second-grade students from Beasley Academic Center for Seeding the Future lessons, hosted 75+ people from Creative States Coalition for a half-day immersion, and continued to host Wellness Wednesdays and Friday Farmer's Markets.
In late September, we opened a new exhibit in Thought Barn, Re-Mapping The Publics..., an assemblage of art, artifacts, and reflections on city planning and development. At the beginning of October, our team visited West Virginia for a two-day learning journey with Values-Based Partners from Coalfield Development. The trip highlighted the similarities despite the differences between Chicago and West Virginia and was also a chance for the SWF team to share carpentry + civic arts skills with the Coalfield team.
As we shift into a cooler season, we invite you to read more about fall happenings at The Commonwealth.
There GROWS the neighborhood!
IN THIS ISSUE:
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SWEET WATER STORIES
Fall at The Commonwealth
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[RE]CREATING THE HEALING GARDEN AT THE COMMONWEALTH
In the summer of 2023, Sweet Water engaged in a month-long effort to re-create the Healing Garden, a ~15,000 square foot site on the Sweet Water Community Farm. The re-creation of the Healing Garden was integrated into the Summer 2023 Urban Ecology Global Fellowship program, serving as the focus of their capstone project. The re-created Healing Garden was opened to the Sweet Water Community for an End-of-Summer Celebration during the final Wellness Wednesday of the Summer Fellowship. Read more.
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2023 LEARNING JOURNEY TO WEST VIRGINIA
From October 1 - October 3, the SWF team traveled to Huntington, West Virginia, for a two-day learning journey with our Values-Based Partner, Coalfield Development. The team visited 4 of Coalfield’s locations, connected with staff members, and led carpentry and civic arts workshops with the Coalfield Team. The trip was an important connection point for both organizations and resonated with both teams. Read more.
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RE-MAPPING THE PUBLICS...
In September, Sweet Water Foundation opened its third exhibit in the Thought Barn: Re-Mapping the Publics… , an assemblage of art, artifacts, and reflections on city planning and development. Re-Mapping the Publics… offers a blueprint for re-mapping our city’s resources to create true common wealth - the spaces, structures, networks, resources, and opportunities essential to mending the urban fabric, healing communities, and equipping our neighborhoods to thrive, rather than merely survive. Click here to learn more.
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