We are a small family that has known what it feels like to suffer under the weight of capitalistic pressure, stretched thin, pinching pennies, burning the candle at both ends all while being broadcast propaganda on the daily with little to no support. Going through this struggle shifted our perspectives and priorities on so much.

We first felt the the need for change when we uprooted our lives a year after having our first child in 2020, we quit both of our jobs (in Oregon) to try and start a new life that aligned with our values and just experiencing the dumpster fire that that entire year was, but as the economy rapidly began to worsen, affording basic needs became extremely stressful, so I started my own business from home to try and help bring in some supplemental income while raising my girls because I knew if I went back to a regular job all of my money would go towards childcare anyways and I wanted to attempt to prioritize them over work, thus beginning my baking business. I had no way to buy baking equipment at the time or supplies so it was as struggle bus but I made it work with what I had and could afford to bake and sell as we gradually got gifted some equipment and saved for more supplies, but it was not enough by any stretch of the imagination to alleviate our financial hardship so my husband decided to quit his then job and start his own construction business to help our family create a stronger income, yet still as costs have continued to rise and the economic strain has only heightened, this all began to severely effect my mental health and our access to true stability. I was overwhelmed with mothering and a business that was getting harder and harder to manage as business was picking up, no one should have to be managing those things alone even though I thought it was normal since so many other people were doing it but we began to realize that practical financial freedom might not actually be possible at the rate things were going even though we were taking all the right steps, both successful business owners by this point, jointly at this time making what should in been more than enough money to secure a comfortable life while being frugal, but the the economic hardship has just steadily been squeezing out the middle class while the wage gap widens. We were not ignorant to take notice that we were not the only ones struggling while working hard and attempting not to sacrifice our morals, there were (are STILL) many in our society, millions, barely surviving, living to work essentially instead of actually living and many are struggling in silence because they do not feel they have a voice that’s acknowledged.

Our system is notorious for gaslighting people into simply just needing to “work harder”, rather than accommodating the various and nuanced needs of individuals. All of this compacting and leading us to recognize more than ever the need for congregational efforts that focuses on a collective outcome rather than simply hyper individual, so our family and our dear friend decided to converge lives, move into a rental together that is commercially zoned while affording us the opportunity to split costs and open a 3rd business, a boutique power lifting gym to help us save and work towards a future that can provide for more than just us.

Our vision is to bring community back to the forefront. We are presently working our way, putting away gradually towards being able to afford buying land that will long term host a small village of diverse community. Our desire is to start by building free of rent small individual housing units for those who wish to contribute to the environment, be it horticulture, art, small business, teaching, etc.

The sequential investment will begin with us building our house on the plot of land and later a recreational building that will be used as a communal event space, for soup kitchens, support groups, craft nights, music nights, fund raisers for individuals in need, etc. and slowly build out cottages for a handful of people/families over the following years.

Currently with my husband, Freedom, owning his businesses, (the construction company and boutique power lifting gym), my small cottage baking business and working towards developing my first album, our endeavor is to use our skills, gifts and finances to build a foundation for this community. My husband hopes that by the time we are ready to start building he can focus most of his construction efforts on erecting the dwelling units.

I will be concentrating my capabilities of baking and cooking towards catering the soup kitchens and communal night gatherings that will be open starting once or twice a month before we find our footing and greater communal effort to engage in more frequent gatherings.

I hope to share my music and allow the space to fill with other artists who can also provide their unique perspectives, gifts and proficiencies. We believe in the power of art and want the space to be filled with an abundance of creative energy.

We are also no strangers to rehabilitating individuals under stressful circumstances and later into our development of the communal space, our hope is to also have a separate area on the property that can be dedicated to recovery and curative care as I also have extensive background in the medical care industry.

It is extremely crucial and pertinent to us to house and commune with individuals who share a passion for diverse collaborative energy. It is important to note that we strongly believe every individual has the right to carry their own beliefs and for those beliefs to be respected by all contributors of the atmosphere, considering they are not a danger to anyone. There will not be requirement of a contextual based value system to participate, but holding to account that all individuals involved are self governed and acknowledged in decision based orchestrations of community events, residency, taking also into consideration the safety of everyone with in the community, to ensure we avoid any possibility of cult like activity arising or a hierarchical structure.

The vision is unity, the hope is it results in healing and an inspired effort for others who have the resources to do the same. As times continue to tense it is essential to us that we begin to gather in person to gain a stronger sense of independence outside of our corrupt systems that are progressively becoming more asphyxiating and damaging to the so many lives, infringing on our rights, the human experience and our environment.

We believe community is the future, equality and nurturing our individuality in a heterogeneous world that works for a collective outcome is what we were meant for.

This plan will be spread out over a coarse of years depending on how many people desire to contribute and the pace we are able to save funds, they will determine how quickly this plan develops. If you feel called to support this mission with labor (when the time comes to build) please contact me at lyrickaleigh@gmail.com, if you feel called to support financially please check out our go fund me.