PROJECTS
Sleeping Bag Coat
Front Yard Urban Gardens
Front Yard Urban Gardens
This is Alaska! We are collaborating with the Detroit based EMPWR non-profit, focused on "permanently elevating families from the generational cycle of homelessness." We will purchase 200+ of these coats and use their work as a model for projects in Alaska.
In their words:
" it hires single parents from local shelters and provide them with training and full-time employment as seamstresses so that they can earn a stable income, find secure housing, and regain their independence. the individuals it hires manufacture a coat designed to meet the needs of those in the homeless community. the durable ‘EMPWR coat’ can transform into a sleeping bag at night or an over-the-shoulder bag when not in use. since 2012, it has provided employment to 34 homeless individuals—all of whom have now secured permanent housing for themselves and their families—and distributed over 15,000 coats to those in need across the US and canada.
founder and CEO, veronika scott, was inspired to start the empowerment plan when a professor at college in detroit challenged her to create a product to fill an actual need in her community. veronika took to the issue of homelessness and began spending time at a nearby warming center where the design for the ‘EMPWR coat‘ was born. while conducting her research, veronika was angrily confronted by a homeless woman who stated that she did not need a coat—she needed a job. this is the moment that shaped the innovative business practices the empowerment plan would adopt upon establishment.
" (sic, capital letters)
Front Yard Urban Gardens
Front Yard Urban Gardens
Front Yard Urban Gardens
Grow gorgeous plants, hire locals to tend. pick and sell them for you.
Front Yard Urban Gardens 3 Ways
EDIBLE LANDSCAPING
According to Insteading.com, " Edible landscaping is using vegetables and fruits instead of ornamental plants and grasses to landscape your yard. Grounded in the tradition of the Victory Gardens of World War II, edible landscaping allows you to keep your yard green and growing while enjoying a delicious harvest.
GROW IT TO GIVE IT AWAY
The foodisfreeproject.org grows food in the front yards of homes with the intent to share it with everyone. Food desert is an over-polite phrase for food apartheid. If our communities are to survive as cohesive places for all, we must embrace engaging neighbors to share with our "most vulnerable" residents.
Since 2013, the garden—founded by Compton native Dr. Sherridan Ross—has operated as a beloved and reliable blueprint for urban, regenerative gardening, feeding up to 100 families per week or up to 500 families at a single food drive. Through a handshake agreement, the landowner allowed the community garden to operate until he could sell it; he even had three of the 63 garden beds reserved for his own needs, where he would reap the benefits of their efforts.
With climate change, we can grow food, never imagined in Alaska. Let's use the research with the goal of feeding our communities from within.
Medical Clinic
Front Yard Urban Gardens
Medical Clinic
PHDC has heard the need for a community-based health center and is evaluating location options. With the guidance of high-level medical and business professionals, we will connect with provide care delivery, infrastructure/operations and governance for a care center to serve the community.
The National Association of Community Health Centers help increase access to crucial primary care by reducing barriers such as cost, lack of insurance, distance, and language for their patients. In doing so, health centers — also called Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) — provide substantial benefits to the country and its health care system."
The NACHC provides health center models, preparation considerations and resources for conducting the needs assessment, compliance and provisions for enabling services. PHDC will also connect interested parties with training in 'clinical workforce development', leadership development, financial management and regulatory compliance'.