Jerusalem Farm

https://mailchi.mp/680eb8115114/jerusalem-farm-october-update

Jerusalem Farm October Update Hello! My name is Tiffany Sykes, a proud Philadelphia Eagles fan. I arrived at the farm on September 27th 2024, just 4 days after leaving the military. I have spent the last 7 years, 3 months and 22 days serving in the US Air Force. I was born with a heart for service.

We were excited to celebrate Tiffany’s Rite of Welcome today! She plans to join us for the next year and you can look forward to hearing more about her in our next e-newsletter!

Welcome Tiffany! “The way is long, let us go together. The way is difficult, let us help one another! The way is Christ, Love is the way”

With the help of volunteers from last week, we completed painting the exterior of our next land trust home. This one is located in

We hope to have this house complete and ready for its new owner around the new year! This home will be sold at least 20% below market value and at an affordable price for a family at least 80% below area median income.

We’re excited to share more photos of the inside at a later date.

Grateful for and their service to our neighborhoods last week. They worked on rehabbing a future land trust home, in community gardens, clearing vacant lots of trash and also as pictured below they continued our work along Cliff Drive.

On this hillside, visitors have been dumping their trash. We are trying to reclaim the wilderness of Cliff Drive by planting seeds in the winter to come up in the Spring; and removing the invasive shrub Japanese honeysuckle.

Picking up trash is the beginning to letting nature flourish.

Thank you Regis Jesuit for lending your hardworking hands and making our parks safe, clean, and wild

We are excited to partner with Evergy by caring for trees they are planting around the Historic Northeast. Their goal is to plant over 2,000 trees in the northeast to combat heat island effects.

This program not only provides environmental benefits, but may also provide economic benefits by reducing heat in the area and providing employment for folks caring for these trees.

Read more about KCMO heat islands here: https://www.kcur.org/health/2024-08-21/kansas-city-is-getting-hotter-work-is-underway-to-identify-at-risk-areas-and-make-the-metro-cooler

Kansas City Independence Plaza Neighborhood Council, Inc. Pendleton Heights Lykins Neighborhood Association Scarritt Renaissance NeighborhoodIndian Mound Neighborhood AssociationOfficial Sheffield Neighborhood Association - KCMOeld

The Affordable Housing Trust Fund has been crucial for our work in creating 10 new housing units (like one of our homes pictured below) over the next couple years. We are grateful for Kansas City's continued investment in projects like ours and other amazing projects around the City to address our cities current housing crisis.

Since 2018, the Affordable Housing Trust Fund has secured $75 million to improve housing options in Kansas City. Today we announce 8 new projects, totaling nearly $7 million to create & preserve 684 affordable, transitional, & supportive homes! kcmo.gov/news

Check out our newsletter! We've been busy with goats, restoration, affordable housing and more. -

September Newsletter Hello! My name is Sara Pekar, and I’ve been at the farm as a Sojourner since May 15th. Originally from Cleveland, OH and most recently having lived in Chicago for 4 years, my encounter with the farm was facilitated by a dear friend who has, in the past, chaperoned group weeks at the farm.

Please join us for our upcoming free one day retreat. October 19th, 10-4pm. Lunch will be provided

Despite the wide use of Nonviolent tactics, many people utilize them without knowing the spiritual pillars they are based upon. One such pillar is Ahimsa, which can be translated as “non-harm.”

Focusing primarily on the teachings of Gandhi, this interactive workshop will explore a fuller understanding of Ahimsa within Gandhi’s approach of embracing Satyagraha (Nonviolence) as a way of life, not merely as a method for social organizing. The workshop will explore the spiritual roots of this principle and how, with a scientific understanding of it, Ahimsa can greatly empower the use of Nonviolent tactics. The workshop will also explore how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. applied these Gandhian lessons to activism in the United States through a Christian lens. One of the main goals of this workshop is to show how, with a contextual understanding of Ahimsa, Nonviolent tactics can be more effectively utilized by people embracing a range of spiritual traditions to address a wide variety of social and political causes.

Please register here: https://jerusalemfarm.my.site.com/s/form?language=en_US&flowName=Campaign_Signup&recordId=701Qj00000LJSuAIAX&%7B%7B%7BRecipient.SignupFormKeys__c%7D%7D%7D=

We installed another Solar Panel system in the Northeast. This program allows income qualified individuals/families to receive a 25 year, no interest loan to install solar on their roof!

Their monthly payment is low enough, that they will see regular monthly savings while paying off their system.

EmPower the Northeast allows residents living closest to the last coal fired power plant in KCMo to be a part of a cleaner future both those installing the system and those receiving the benefits. This is how a community comes together!

Join us Saturday Sept 14th for a free one day Workshop!
10am - 4pm @ 520 Garfield Ave.

Voting, Citizenship, and Nonviolence: Lessons from the Freedom Movement

A free vegetarian lunch will be provided. See more details and register for the workshop at the link below.

https://jerusalemfarm.my.site.com/s/form?language=en_US&flowName=Campaign_Signup&recordId=701Qj00000KqFNdIAN&%7B%7B%7BRecipient.SignupFormKeys__c%7D%7D%7D=

LISC is accepting nominations for individuals and organizations who are doing exceptional work around the City. Last year we were honored to receive their Outstanding Partner award. Check out our video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPetF2rtxCw

Check out their categories and nominate and individual or organization doing exceptional work in your neighborhood.

The Outstanding Partner of the Year award recognizes an existing LISC KC partner who has provided leadership and collaboration to bring together diverse voices and/or resources to strengthen the community.
Our 2023 Outstanding Partner of the Year was Jerusalem Farm. Check out their video here https://youtu.be/jPetF2rtxCw
Don’t forget, Thrive award nominations are open until August 16th! https://lisc.tfaforms.net/f/Thrive2024NominationForm

We are grateful for the recently received grant from Village Presbyterian Church and their committment living out the Gospel as written in Matthew 25. In this case, they will be addressing important housing justice issues in the Historic Northeast neighborhoods of Kansas City.

One of the things this grant will do is allow us to build a new single family home in the Lykins Neighborhood as a pilot project. We are also partnering with CoBuild on the build! Stay tuned for more information.

Rev. Chad Herring hands the Signature Mission check to Hannah Elder, program & operations associate at Jerusalem Farm. Read more about our 2024-25 Signature Mission partnership in the next issue of the Good News. jerusalemfarm.org

Hello all! Just a reminder to take this survey if you have a moment. (Historic Northeast Residents Only)

We know there are a lot of surveys in the Northeast, and often times it seems like they don't make a difference. However, this community listening project happens once every two years and it is designed by residents of the northeast with Jerusalem Farm and gives actionable data to support the assetts of the Northeast and also address the challenges.

Data fram past surveys has been utilized to bring funds towards the northeast that have supported initiatives in our public parks (Ameri'Kana Fest, Invasive Species removal, dumping cleanups), Housing initiatives (Home repair and affordable housing land trust), job creation (Companion program) and more...

The survey is currently in Spanish, English and Swahili. Please contact us if you know of other languages (with contacts) that we should translate it into, or if you would like to help spread this survey to your neighbors and friends.
https://umkc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cZVLDE9erXEhQdo

Scarritt Renaissance Neighborhood Lykins Neighborhood Association Indian Mound Neighborhood Association Pendleton Heights Independence Plaza Neighborhood Council, Inc. Sheffield Neighborhood Association - KCMO

Do we know anyone in our network who could assist us in making a short promotional video?

Please send us a message if so!

Join us July 27th! Free music festival with lots of local talent and local artists. We'd love to see you there.

🎶Support Local Talent at AMERI'KANA: A Free Music Festival in Kansas City! 🎶

Hey, Kansas City! 🌟 Are you ready to show some love for our incredible local talent? Join us at AMERI'KANA, a free music festival that celebrates the vibrant arts and culture of our community!

🗓 Date: July 27th, 2024
🕒 Time: 1:00pm-8:00pm
📍 Location: The Concourse (200 Benton Blvd KCMO)

Here’s how you can support local talent and have an amazing time:

🎤 Enjoy Live Performances:Experience the best of KC’s music scene with performances by national, local, and youth musicians. From soulful melodies to energetic beats, there’s something for everyone!

🛍️ Shop at the Open Air Market: Explore unique crafts, art, and delicious treats from our talented local artisans and small businesses. Every purchase you make helps support our community.

🎨 Engage with Art As Mentorship: Learn more about our non profit on a mission to make a positive impact on the underserved youth of our community through art and mentorship!

This festival is not just about music; it’s about coming together as a community to celebrate and support the artists who make our city so special. Bring your friends, family, and neighbors for a day filled with joy, unity, and unforgettable experiences.

Let’s show the world what Kansas City is made of. Mark your calendars and get ready to support local talent at AMERI'KANA!

We completed our second solar install this morning . This time on our most recent land trust house. This all electric energy efficient home is now powered by the sun!

We have more installs lined up this year!

We are looking for some household supplies. We are filling out our new communal space which will be used for summer interns, community members and guests.

If you have any of the items below, please contact us! Please only let us know about items in good condition.

- 2 Queen Beds (mattress and/or frames)
- Pots and pans that work on induction stove (not ceramic or aluminum)
- plates, cups, bowls, silverware
- cooking utensils
- household cleaning supplies
- 6 small clothing dressors for rooms
- chairs/recliners for reading nook
- couches
- book shelve
- kitchen table + chairs

Call now to connect with business.

We are excited to partner with Guadalupe Centers High School students to clean up around the collonade, learn about and remove honeysuckle, clear trash and return native plants to the area.

Guadalupe Centers students bring hidden beauty of Kessler Park into plain sight Students at Guadalupe Centers High School are helping Kessler Park in Kansas City park get a makeover.

Nicoya Helm led a wonderful Mental Health First Aider course for our community yesterday. It is good to talk about mental health and to learn how to observe signs and respond when people might be having mental health challenges or are in crisis.

9th and Van Brunt Soccer fields is hiring! Check it out.

The spring has been great for being outside, removing honeysuckle, planting natives and hanging out with the goats!

Jerusalem Farm -

Jerusalem Farm We are grateful for everyone who was able to attend last Saturday! We are also grateful for all of those out of town who sent us messages of support!

Thank you to everyone who was able to join our gratitude gathering on Saturday! We had a wonderful time. Check out this video to see a highlight of our work this last year.

Gratitude Gathering 2024 Jerusalem Farm 2024

Local representation and advocacy is essential for healthy neighborhoods. The Lykins Neighborhood Association is doing wonderful work organizing to create the community they desire. They are looking for a new Executive Director check it out.

https://northeastnews.net/pages/lykins-neighborhood-association-hiring-new-executive-director/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR21FRRIaJ7M4U0bib5FuT1LZtoih3OobS-v6rcCkfVKofJ3NWePq834XzI_aem_AWLlL47TxJwWTg7DJtAEXOBklJRdMW4X3PaRTM6omBGpJulQ-y-vnVy6R5Bz4fODkYqZl6El_N7Z08XufUDXITBc

Lykins Neighborhood Association Hiring New Executive Director | Northeast News EllieAna HaleCommunity Engagement Intern & Reporter In the core of Kansas City’s Historic Northeast is the Lykins Neighborhood—a vibrant and diverse yet predominantly low-income community represented with resilience and growth. …