“As Jimmy Boggs used to remind us, revolutions are made out of love for people and for place. … Love isn’t just something you feel. It’s something you do everyday when you go out and pick the paper and bottles scattered the night before on the corner, when you argue passionately for what you believe in with whoever will listen, when you call a friend to see how they’re doing, when you write a letter to the newspaper, when you give a speech and give ‘em hell, when you never stop believing that we can all be more than what we are. In other words, Love isn’t about what we did yesterday; it’s about what we do today and tomorrow and the day after.”
-Grace Lee Boggs
The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Activism for the Twenty-First Century
Block Love organized by Jasmine J. Noble of ComeUnity One Stop
Block Love focuses on uniting, supporting, and engaging the blocks of our neighborhoods. In centering the process of community building,ComeUnity One Stop has partnered with the emerging Eastside Community Land Trust to do transformative work: preserve the community’s history and culture and promote its social capital by being proactive against gentrification’s harmful effects. This is happening in the beloved community where The James and Grace Lee Boggs School started and where I will continue to do program development. This land trust is committed to building community power as it will be a place for community-led visions; dedicating all design to being universally accessible; supporting inclusive, sustainable, and democratic governing for residents; and will remain affordable to all people.
We have already acquired seventeen lots and hope to purchase an additional eighteen lots in the Fall of 2020 to begin these projects: an orchard, vineyard, urban farm, and an outdoor public gathering space with seating and a stage while employing local community and youth to successfully build these art-integrated green spaces. The second phase of the community land trust involves further engagement with neighborhood residents and the securing of funds to build the ecovillage that will be solar and wind powered. An ecovillage is an intentional community with the goal of becoming more socially, culturally, economically, and ecologically sustainable. The future ComeUnity One Stop center will be part of this ecovillage and will lead in projects and programs centered on community health and wellness, with a focus on providing mental health services.
Starting September 12, my birthday, I am inviting all that I know and those that I may not know to take this journey with us and consider contributing to the birthing of Block Love. Thus far, the emerging Eastside Community Land Trust has raised $26,000 and has $28,000 in pledges. Block Love has the goal of raising $47, 276.50, the remaining amount needed to complete the initial phase.
Whether it is $1, or $1,000 all donations are appreciated and support the vision of building community together while being the agents of change we want to see. It is with the support of friends, family and partners like you that this will be a reality. To donate click here. Thank you for your consideration and your support of Block Love. I look forward to building the future with you.
Best,
Jasmine Jere’ Noble
Founder and Director of ComeUnity One Stop
*ComeUnity One Stop is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All contributions made to Block Love by ComeUnity One Stop are 100% tax deductible.