Community - Camphill Communities California
Transcription
Community - Camphill Communities California
A Newsletter for Friends of Camphill Communities California CommunityVoices Issue 40 • Summer 2012 The Hallmarks of Community: Education, Culture and Sacred Spaces by C O L E M A N LY L E S As construction of the new Assembly Room was underway, members of Camphill California practiced community-building activities like Maypole dancing near the new building. A Sacred Space An Essential Component of Community uring the last 14 years Camphill Communities California has evolved to a point where it is ready for a special space, a sacred space if you like. Sacred spaces are those that are dedicated to the idea that the human being is a citizen of the cosmos as well as the earth. As cosmic beings, human beings are subject to the stars and the planets, the sun and the moon and everything that reminds us of our spiritual origin. Sacred spaces provide both a physical and spiritual space to express our individual quest for meaning and wisdom, and to fulfill our basic human longing to come together in fellowship. Within these sacred spaces we celebrate our spiritual/religious life, and we pursue cultural/educational activities that allow us to realize our potential and rise above our narrow individuality and become citizens of the universe. The joyful celebration of festivals, the active promotion of education, culture and self-development and the social imperative to meet and embrace one another in our full humanity are the hallmarks of a striving community. Camphill is committed to this image of the human being and all that it implies for community life. Throughout the history of Camphill, sacred spaces in the form of Camphill halls provide a place for the entire community to uphold these strivings. These beautiful organic buildings are specifically designed for spiritual, religious, educational, cultural and social life. These buildings are an essential part of community life and a validation of years and years of faithful community building. Such buildings are built as an expression of a spiritual presence D continued next page that is already experienced by the community; they are part of a spiritual reality that already exists. An Inspiration for Community Life We in Camphill Communities California are thrilled to report that we can now celebrate such a space. Although not exactly a hall, our Community Assembly Room, attached to Marimi, is shaping up to be everything we hoped and designed it to be. It is indeed an inspiring and inspired space. Apart from all that it will permit us to do, it stands as a worthy expression of all that our community has become through the faithful support and engagement of countless individuals, families, co-workers, friends, board members, neighbors, advisors and volunteers. We can take a measure of collective pride in this beautiful room that now adjoins Marimi House. I hope as many of you as possible will see this for yourselves in the weeks, months and years to come. Coleman and Bryan, who share a home together along with two other Camphill members, stand in front of the building site. Sarah’s Pursuit of Meaningful Self-Expression by ILONA HARABIN Communicating with Facilitated Communication It is common to see Sarah Rosen carrying her laminated paper keyboard around the community, or typing on her new iPad with a coworker, but many people still do not know how she uses these tools or what exactly Facilitated Communication (FC) is. When Sarah wishes to communicate, a person acting as a facilitator gently supports her hand, following her motions as she points to certain letters on the keyboard to spell out words. On the iPad, the words that Sarah types appear on the screen and can be saved. When using a paper keyboard, however, it is necessary for the facilitator to pronounce each word aloud after Sarah has finished spelling it; this helps both Sarah and the facilitator to keep track of where they are in the sentence. we had a breakthrough. Sarah now brings her FC paper keyboard with her when she works with me in the garden so that we can talk together. Although Sarah is able to speak using short phrases, FC allows Sarah to communicate on a much deeper level. FC is an exciting opportunity for Sarah because she can express herself in many different settings around the community and in the world outside Camphill California. FC has also deepened Sarah’s relationships with those closest to her. She particularly enjoys using FC to talk with “her mom and Lynn who understand her.” Sarah’s favorite topics of conversation are “boys and shopping.” Sarah also uses it to express herself whenever she needs to discuss more serious issues. Currently Sarah is working together with Janna, and caregivers Lynn and Cate to pursue her love for learning by preparing to attend a class at Cabrillo College. Sarah first learned to communicate using FC years ago while at a boarding school in Kansas. Upon returning to San Francisco, she practiced FC only with her mother. However, after moving to Camphill California, her friend and caregiver David initiated training for Sarah with Janna Woods, a Facilitated Communication trainer who works with many people like Sarah in the San Jose area. Relationship-Building with Facilitated Communication Last year, Janna began working with Sarah, her house mom Lynn and me. The goal was to use FC as a daily form of communication for Sarah. As a result, we practiced together every day. It was difficult at first until 2 S U M M E R 2 0 1 2 From left: Lynn, Sarah and Ilona sit together in the Ishi garden. Sarah is explaining her reasons for wanting to learn FC. Unity: Expressing Individuality Through Community Creating Visual Metaphors hen Amy arrived at Camphill California, work on the Community Assembly Room had just begun. As she watched the space transform, she also experienced the transformation of her own life at Camphill California: “The longer I stay, the more I realize that an integral part of healthy community life is to recognize and support the unique strengths of each member. When these contributions are facilitated, harmony and balance are created.” With this understanding, Amy, a visual artist, was inspired to create a project that would portray community life through the core value of healthful unity. Amy explains, “Art is often thought of as a static or twodimensional object when really it encompasses much more. The process of creating the art is where magic happens. I wanted my art project to be a metaphorical experience that would mirror our community in the best way possible.” With this in mind, she asked everybody to participate in a series of artistic “experiences,” each with their own set of guidelines. The concept for these artistic experiences was “unity.” W Drawings: Amy explained that the purpose of the exercise was to give everyone the opportunity to express themselves in whatever way they wished. By asking them questions about their drawings, Amy encouraged everyone to build their own artistic style. Amy explained, “The results were a series of drawings that were unique to each artist; yet as a whole, the canvases created a new and unified piece of art.” Community Canvas: In an effort to unify individual artistic expressions, Amy built a canvas with wood from the site of the Community Assembly Room. She then painted the canvas with light sensitive chemicals that enabled a “cyanotype” process. “If done correctly, it is like painting with light,” explained Amy. The canvas was stored in a dark room to avoid sun exposure. Then natural objects like flowers, grasses, stones, and wood were gathered. Artists were asked to pick a spot on the canvas where they could place their object using whatever design they wished. The canvas was then moved into the sunlight and exposed. Finally, the large canvas was cleaned with a hose and the beautiful silhouettes of each person’s design were visible. From left: Cate, Sarah V., Jonathan, Sasha and Amy sit around the Community Canvas that they all helped to create. The canvas will be on display in the new Community Assembly Room. Unity Sign: “Another part of our journey as a community of artists was for everyone to design a flower on a large square piece of sanded wood” said Amy. Once all the flowers were drawn onto the wood, helpers created a permanent drawing by burning the designs into the wood. At the center of the wood is the word “Unity.” For Amy this artwork is a metaphor for community life at Camphill California. “Each project was only possible because of the beauty that each person contributed.” These artistic pieces are a visual expression for the ways that individual strengths acquire unlimited power when they are nurtured upon the canvas of community. The “Unity” exhibit is on display in our new Community Assembly Room. Your Donation to Camphill California Visit us at our website www.camphillca.org to make a tax-deductible donation or mail your gift to Camphill Communities California, P.O. Box 221, Soquel, CA 95073. A simple and easy monthly giving option is now available at our website! Sign up and have an amount of your choice deducted from your bank account or credit card each month. Check to see if your company makes matching gifts. Thank you for your support!! C O M M U N I T Y V O I C E S 3 The Winding Path of my Journey as Lee’s Sister by MARY DOUGLASS A Sibling’s Journey y brother Lee was born on September, 29, 1952 and I was born nearly 10 years later. He is my only sibling. Things were different when we were growing up; there was scant support or acceptance of people with special needs. There was even less support for parents and none at all for siblings. My formative years as a sibling were challenging. Today I embrace with joy how far I have come, and how deeply enriched and more beautiful my life is because of the challenges I have faced and the joys that have come from being Lee’s sister. It is an honor to be asked to write about my journey as Lee’s sister. I do so with pleasure and appreciation of Camphill, and all they have done—not only for my brother—but for my parents, my family, and me. The journey of every sibling of a person with special needs is different, as is that of their sibling, and of their whole family. Today, there are support groups not only for parents, but for siblings of all ages. There are excellent, heartwarming, and deeply truthful books that tell of the variety of sibling experiences. I have devoured them; I waited a long time to know “peers.” I have been in adult sibling support groups. My brother Lee is currently 59 years old. He is sensitive, vulnerable, and likes green ice cream. He finds comfort in the familiar, and his greatest joy comes when he sees our mother, listens to Richie Valens tunes, has his back rubbed, or does jigsaw puzzles (which he does exceptionally well!). He often says “not Lee!” when asked to go somewhere, but is often just fine when he gets there. He has a sweet sense of humor and would never hurt anyone. M A New Life at Camphill California Until Lee moved to Camphill in 1999, he lived for twenty years in another place—the best that my parents could find. It did not hold a candle to Camphill. Every time I visit Lee and see the warm, calm- Lee and Mary, 1965 4 S U M M E R 2 0 1 2 Lee George takes a break from working in the garden. Some of his favorite responsibilities in the garden are using a wheelbarrow to move weeds to the compost pile, and removing the beans from the fava plants—a crop that is used to replenish the soil after the planting season is over. ing, vibrant, peaceful Camphill community in which he lives, my heart swells with joy. My parents, Alex and Julie George, worked tirelessly—along with others— to persuade Camphill to establish a community in California. To see Lee working in the garden, other friends working in the kitchen, the weavery, or the office brings me great joy. After all, the need to engage in useful work, and to be appreciated as a unique human being with special gifts, is necessary for the fulfillment of every human being. The population of Camphill friends is aging. As their parents, too, age, siblings (and others significant in each friend’s life) will be increasingly called upon for nurture and support. My husband and I, along with my mother, are Lee’s co-conservators. My parents always worried about “burdening” me with looking after Lee’s welfare after they are gone, but honestly, it is my great privilege. The prospect of doing so—and doing so well—used to scare me to death. However, after watching my parents do it for decades, becoming a mature woman with my own family, having a wonderfully supportive husband, and growing in my sense of almost “parental” love for Lee, I am feeling—dare I say—quite confident and certainly determined to do so. Jigsaw puzzle with Mary, 1984 Competent and Compassionate Care I have lived in Seattle since the early 1990s. My parents moved from the Bay Area to Seattle in early 2006. Moving an airplane trip away from Lee was the hardest part for them about leaving. They did so only with my husband’s and my solemn promise that one of us would fly with them every four to six weeks to visit Lee. { The need to engage in useful work is necessary for the fulfillment of every human being } Our beloved father, Alex George, passed away in August, 2006. Our mother, now 90, continues to visit Lee, along with one of us, every one to two months. My children, ages 13 and 17, have come many times with us to visit their Uncle Lee. I can say without hesitation that having a “special” uncle has made them more compassionate, patient human beings. I am so proud of the way they behave when they are in their Uncle Lee’s company: they do jigsaw puzzles with him, hold his arm when he walks, give him his favorite treat (M&Ms), and try to engage him in conversation. Camphill has always nurtured and supported me as a sib- Thanks to All of Our Supporters! Thank you!! Camphill California thanks our wonderful team of supporters. Jigsaw puzzle with niece Julie and nephew Ben, 2008 ling. They have encouraged and empowered me as I have grown in my capacity to be more involved in Lee’s life. I have formed very close relationships with some of the Camphill special friends, as well as co-workers. My parents, husband and children too have found similar joy in being part of the greater Camphill community. I often ask myself what I would want from Lee were he the “normal” one and I the one with special challenges. I would want him to enjoy his own life, but not forget me. I would want him to look after my well-being, work with my caregivers to assure that my needs were being met competently and compassionately. That is what I pledge to do for him, as I have been taught so well by my parents. I am blessed to be Lee’s sister. It has changed who I am for the better. I am a more compassionate and sensitive human being. Thank you, Camphill, for the loving support you provide not only for Lee, but for me and my family. An enormous thanks to our many generous contributors who have helped us to realize our $600,000 goal for our Community Assembly Room! Because of your investment and dedication to Camphill California, we now have a beautiful and meaningful place to build community together. A special thanks to our wonderful team of volunteers lead by Bob Jacobson who return to us each year to undertake various land projects on the Marimi and Ishi properties. In April and June the team spent four Saturdays assembling a large greenhouse that will be used for seed cultivation and winter vegetable production and preparing the Marimi grounds for our Community Assembly Room Opening and Family Workshop. Bob Jacobson, Rick Jacobson, Omar Herrera, Omarle Herrera, Greg Gardner, Brian Diorio, Cameron Lawrence Laura Stiavetti, Adam Stiavetti, Madi Lawrence, Shelby Jacobson, Conor Jacobson, Thank you!! C O M M U N I T Y V O I C E S 5 “Iloominating” the Art of Camphill California’s Weaving Workshop by C AT E S TA L O C K huttle, beat, treadles. Shuttle, beat, treadles. Shuttle, beat, treadles. Jonathan Jones masters this rhythm every Thursday morning on a Camphill California weavery loom that produces small, square sachets. Once these squares are S Every Wednesday Cate and Danny work together on the table loom together. taken off the loom, he will stuff them with lavender that was grown in the Camphill gardens. Jonathan gravitates towards aromas. On a sachet stuffing day, the entire weaving studio fills to the brim with the calming fragrance, and the ear-to-ear grin on Jonathan’s face cannot be missed. Joan Vierra, one of the weavery managers, designed larger rectangular woven pieces that also incorporate products from the gardens: oil bags that hold three small bottles each filled with lavender, calendula, or chamomile oil and lavender and rice filled eye pillows. Joan has a background in production weaving and is always using her innovation and expertise to think of new projects to be produced at Camphill. Joan shares her weaving knowledge between Camphill, Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and her personal weaving in her home. Last fall, she wove a wool rug so beautifully crafted that it won first prize at a local art fair. Another new project inspired by Laura Rider, co-weavery manager, are colorful headbands woven by Sarah Von Eichorn on an inkle loom. Sarah is an expert on the inkle loom. Each time she sweeps the string back and forth through the loom, she does it with such consistency and precision that the bands she 6 S U M M E R 2 0 1 2 creates are flawless. Not only is Sarah’s work impeccable, she also weaves at such a productive rate that the weavery is never at a deficit for the bands she creates. Besides headbands, Sarah produces other vibrant bands on the inkle loom that are made into bookmarks and belts. Projects like these also inspire Laura’s work in the weavery. Laura loves thinking about the “interaction of color and texture.” What makes weaving fun for her is that “once all of the technical aspects [of weaving] are learned…you are free to do whatever you want!” Kathy Lyles, who co-founded the weavery in 1998 with her former co-director, Susan Bischof, completes the current trio of weavery managers. Kathy supervises the multiple steps required to create loomesque rugs and enjoys matching different colored and textured fabrics to create inspiring designs. Preparing these rugs requires a number of different weavers. Sheets need to be ripped into strips and strips tied together to make balls. This process takes multiple days and usually around five people to complete it. The balls of tied together fabric are given to Scotia Reid who dexterously weaves the strips around 22 pegs. Scotia keeps count of every single rug she weaves and if you asked her today how many loomesque rugs she has created she would enthusiastically point to the newest rug and tell you, “This is number one-hundred and fifty!” A Camphill Moment Scotia has many home responsibilities at Marimi House. One of the responsibilities she enjoys the most is gathering the mail for her housemembers. Pictured here, she is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the day’s mail. Thank You! Benefactors ($5,000 and above) Bryan Van Camp Zecca Trust Camphill Foundation Camphill Village Copake Foundation Charlotte E. Voitoff Living Trust Christine Zecca Foundation Luise Custer/Tygiel-Custer Trust Julie George Ernestine Hall Stephen and Deborah LeCover M. Lucile Reid Hal and Lydia Rosen Steven and Susan Rosen Samuil and Mila Shakhman Rudolph Steiner Foundation Patrons ($2,500-$4,999) Camphill California Coworkers J.V. Properties David and Mary Jo Lang Sponsors ($1000-$2,499) Camphill Village Kimberton Hills Andre ASlexander Voitoff Trust Elizabeth Barber Lynn Barr Tim Folger and Wendy Weil Gustav and Gabriele Hertrich If Not Me, Who?/Beverly Alexander Martin Elizabeth Maruska Patricia Moncada Roddy Reid Ronald Sanchez David Schwartz Laura Shumaker Marjorie Swig Jonathan Tenney Martha Tygiel The Berta L. Hathaway Trust Triform Camphill Community Zalec Familian and Lilian Levinson Foundation Sustaining Members ($500-$999) Arm in Arm, SLC, LLC Mary Baldwin James and Judy Barber Kathleen Brazil Eric Conroe Ruth Cowan Roy and Ann Folger Virginia Hammerness Camphill Communities California wishes to thank the following individuals, foundations and corporations whose donations were received between June 1, 2011 and July 1, 2012. Carol Jefferies William and Christy Johnson Richard and Diane Klein Lyles Family Trust Cory Ray Armand and Cheryl Ruby Gene and Dorothy Wainwright Glenn Yarmeak Supporting Members ($100-$499) Robert and Angela Anthony Lynn Bennion Flora Bloom Catherine Borchert Beatrice Bowles Charles and Jane Boyer Antone and Mary Brazil Denise Brazil de Castro Julie Brody Walter and Wanda Brown Thomas Butz Toni Cerrudo Julia Cheever Charles Clawson Lewis and Sandra Coronis Kristen Crabtree and Jacqueline Shaw Donald & Valerie Cravitz Daryl V. Dichek John and Mary Douglass Alice Fehlau Danny Feld Feshbach Family Fund Anne Fliesler Anne Fountain Beebe Frazer Judith Fried Gehrig Family Revocable Trust Neil Glick and Boone Campbell Peter Hammond David and Catherine Hartzell Bill and Betsy Herman Hooker Family Fund Joanne E. McCready Irrevocable Trust Georgeann Johnson Ton and Thelma Jue Kevin and Betty Ann Keane Stuart and Kimberly Kirchick Rich and Sandi Kornfeld Patricia Leung Lucy Lewis Lyles Family Trust Bill Madsen Rose Marcario Alan and Cathie Marks Beverly, Goyo and Misha Martin Christopher McBride Kelly and Bernadette McBride John McCarrick Avery McGinn Mary Louise McGoodwin McGraw Hill Community Partners Employee Giving Campaign Donald and Shelley Meltzer Fred and Cheryl Mitouer Brian Nelson Jane Nydorf Steve and Kate Phillips David and Leslie Plumlee Richard Price Gene and Claire Amelia Roberts Gayle Robinson David Rosen Jeffrey Rosen Stanley Schwartz Richard and Evelyn Sharp Aileen Souveroff Ernest and Donna Stalock Steven and Sharron Stalock Uwe and Liselotte Stave The Swig Foundation Arnold and Diana Thackray Rosa Tunberg Charles Tygiel Martha Tygiel Cedric van Hooff Walter and Dominique van Hooff Catherine Varnau Theresa Vitorelo Astrid von Soosten Gail Wainwright Cynthia Weber Ronald White Michael Wolper Contributing Members (up to $99) Heatherash Amara Debra Andaloro Kim Antieau Debie Baranchulk Chris Barnett Harvey and Judy Barnett Patrick and Penelope Barrett Melissa Black Annette Blackman Thomas Blair John Bontrager Justin Bortnick Bruce Bowen John Bowers Phil Bowhay Coral Cadman Elizabeth Chamberlin Don Cohon Diana and Eric Doner Robert and Lesley Dorin Desiree Douville Shannon Durst Jeff and Ellen Engel George and Cassandra English Joy Faigh Steven Fliesler Brian Fox Erik and Carrie Freeman Annette and Evan Friend Elizabeth Garrett Susan B. Goldstein Richard Gorton Katie Greenberg D`Vorah Grenn Louise and Eric Haag Agnes Hale Justin Hammergren Theresa Herning Kelley Hunter Nora Jamieson Dianne Jenett Owen and Marie Jobson Jan Kampa Karen Kaufman Kyle King Serguey and Cynthia Kondratieff Julie Kunstler Douglas Langstraat Maria-Elena Larcher Trelou Lawson Jane Lear Jennifer Lin Daphne Lison Helen Lubin John Lyles Craig Marks Shayna Marks Caitlin McCarrick Lynnet McDermott Kathleen H. McKenna Malcolm McLaughlin Myra McPherson Dolores Moncada Adrian and Judie Mikulicich Janie Miller Susan L Miller Uma and Vish Miller Anja Mohnen Susan Nace Ellie Nemeth Leah Norwood Judith Olson Lane Olson Raymond Pestrong Simone Renaud Hope Rhode Julie Rienhardt Deo Robbins Dale and Roswitha Robinson Annette Portello Ross Katie Rupp Renee Ruthel Howard Schrager Ilo Schultz Sarah Scott Steve Spitalny Don and Marilyn Sweet Joan DJ Timpany Patricia Walsh Jane Ward Rona Weintraub Matthew Weisner Anita Wilkinson Paul Worthman Linda Yaven Gertrude Zimmerman Contributions in Memory of: Diana and Eric Doner’s brother-in-law Stephen and Deborah LeCover Donald Dean Borchert Catherine Borchert Bruce Cowan Stephen and Deborah LeCover Ethel Ellenbogen Stephen and Deborah LeCover Ary King Daphne Lison Judith Olson Carl Rudnick Stephen and Deborah LeCover Shirley Schwartz Stanley Schwartz Jules Tygiel Raymond Pestrong Robert and Lesley Dorin Frances Wepman Stephen and Deborah LeCover Contributions in Honor of: Bob Athayde Peter and Laura Shumaker Claudia Beck Gayle Robinson Gustav & Gabriele Hertrich Annette Blackman Aileen Souveroff Cynthia Weber The Berta L Hathaway Trust Astrid von Soosten Tom and Laurie Bowhay Phil Bowhay Mike and Alice Bowhay Phil Bowhay David Kreezer Annette Portello Ross Julie Kunstler and Family Stephen & Deborah LeCover Danny LeCover Harvey and Judy Barnett Malcolm McLaughlin Robert and Angela Anthony Julie Kunstler Owen and Marie Jobson Jeff and Ellen Engel Danny Feld Stephen and Deborah LeCover Coleman and Kathy Lyles Peter and Laura Shumaker Beverly Martin Astrid von Soosten Jessica Marshall David and Mary Jo Lang Frank and Shirley McCarthy Phil Bowhay Aaron Noble Dianne Jenett Sky and Nancy Post Peter and Laura Shumaker Scotia Reid M. Lucile Reid Gertrude Zimmerman Sarah Rosen Neil Glick Sema Rosen Neil Glick Onat Sanchez and David Schwartz Peter and Laura Shumaker Coleman Schott Antone and Mary Brazil Kathleen Brazil Denise Brazil de Castro Judy Sweet Don and Marilyn Sweet Diana and Eric Doner Stephen and Deborah LeCover Charles Tygiel Martha Tygiel Luise Custer Raymond Pestrong Evan Folger Roy and Annie Folger Wendy Weil and Tim Folger Frans van Hooff Toni Cerrudo Bill & Palma Madsen Lynn Bennion Lee George Ronald White John and Mary Douglass Julie George Brian Wainwright Gail Wainwright Jonathan Jones Peter Hammond Pat Johnson Peter and Laura Shumaker Wiley West Lynn E. Barr Bryan Zecca Kathleen H. McKenna Rona Weintraub For a list of all of our Human Race contributors and honorees, please visit www.camphillca.org C O M M U N I T Y V O I C E S 7 Camphill Communities California P.O. Box 221 Soquel, CA 95073 Community Voices Issue 40 • Summer 2012 A Newsletter for Friends of Camphill Communities California Editor/Writer Elizabeth Lee Barber Contributing Photographers Philipp Jacob, Amy Inglis Designer Kathleen Roberts Design © Camphill Communities California 2012 2012 Calendar of Events August 15 Commencement of Fall Semester Social Therapy Training Course Camphill Communities California August 24 Gatherting of Extraordinary People Harvey West Park, Santa Cruz, California September 15 Camphill Communities California Board Meeting Camphill Communities California September 29 Opening Celebration for Community Assembly Room & Family Workshop Camphill Communities California September TBA Camphill Properties Board Meeting Camphill Communities California October 19–20 Camphill Association of North America Meeting Camphill Kimberton Hills, Pennsylvania Camphill Communities Worldwide are dedicated to social renewal through community building with children, youth and adults who have developmental disabilities. The international Camphill movement includes over 100 affiliates and communities in 21 countries across the world. Fifteen are in North America. For More Information (831) 476-7194 info@camphillca.org www.camphillca.org