Dear Friend,

Everywhere we look in the news right now, we read and hear about the growing division and polarization in our country and across the world. When I watch the news it’s easy to feel discouraged about our future. But thanks to each of you, I also know there is another story playing out not just in our community but in towns and cities from coast to coast. I believe strongly in the vitality and sustainability of this second story – because it’s grounded in the values that have been core to our ancestors for thousands of years:  an understanding of our deep interdependence and our most fundamental desire to care for one another.
 
Here at Ceres we are blessed to see that second story come to life in small and large ways every day as we welcome, support and empower young leaders; provide healing meals and loving care to our neighbors in need; and provide opportunities for all of us to be in compassionate and generous relationships with one another. This is our “best self” and by being part of Ceres you help all of us remember and live that reality. So thank you for helping me keep my faith that we are not a reflection of what we see in the news – but so much better than that.
 
If you haven’t already bought your tickets for Harvest of the Heart, our annual fundraising gala, on August 18^th, I hope you’ll do that soon. Harvest is a magical evening that will leave you proud of who we are as a community – and we rely on this event for more than 10% of our annual income.
 
I’m grateful every day that you’ve brought your talents, time and treasure to Ceres Community Project. Thank you for making our community so rich and vibrant.
 

 

Three of Ceres' teen volunteers were recently honored as Youth of the Year by the Sebastopol Chamber of Commerce, due to their service to the community during the October wildfires. Isabelle Dean, Tristan Armstrong and Alex Kuhn were here day after day helping cook, clean, deliver and generally anticipating what was needed as we transformed our regular meal program into emergency food relief operations. The award ceremony was Thursday June 7th. Congratulations!

Teen Gardeners listening to client stories in circle this week.
 

Twice a year, we host a few unique gatherings called client visits. Client visits are a really special offering where we invite past Ceres clients to come and meet the teen chefs and gardeners and share some of their experience of being client and how it impacted their healing journey. Sometimes these are light and bright talks filled with gratitude and joy and sometimes they can be heavy and emotional, but they are all valuable in helping the teens (and all of us) deepen our understanding of the work we do and how it affects our community.

This week we had a beautiful and moving client visit in the garden.  Olivia, a 41 year old single mom, and her 7 year old son joined our Youth Circle and shared their story, from discovering a large tumor last July, through a mastectomy, to her final treatment in January.

Olivia and her son received food the day before her first lumpectomy and said it was such a gift to have food waiting for them when she returned from the hospital.

Not only did this small family delight in discovering what was delivered each week (often eating dessert first),  but they felt cared for when reading the back of the letters that went along with the meals to learn the names of the people who had lovingly made their food (yes that is important!!).  

The flowers and cards that often accompanied the meals were another beautiful addition that lifted their week.  To have people who showed up with a smile on their face and a bag of food that she could count on was very supportive during a very difficult time.

Our teens learned a lot from Olivia and the other clients who shared their time and stories this week.

 

 

CROOKED GOAT BREWING

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Sports Basement has designated Ceres Community Project as a beneficiary in Sports Basement's customer loyalty program, Basementeers! Basementeers receive 10% off each purchase and Sports Basement gives that 10% to Ceres. 

Even better...Sports Basement will waive the $25 lifetime membership fee for the next month. Join today and start saving on every future purchase!

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