by Viyanna Langager
Though challenging, it has been a great few months here in Hub City Village! There have been many successes, chances to learn, discovery of things that don’t work while focusing on solutions. Growing pangs are not easy. Yet, as a community, we are overcoming and coming together.
With houses full, bustling activity all around and residents making their path in this unique project, we are watching people grow as new skills are learned. Every resident is finding a sense of belonging as a community is being created. Defining community among the residents has been interesting as some people have never had a sense of belonging, much less had the opportunity to learn what a healthy community is.
In the world of recovery from substance use and mental health challenges, there is a saying, “Recovery is connection and connection is recovery.” When HCV opened, there was a goal to create connections among the folks. That goal is being achieved as people are beginning to learn what trust is.
Historically, the sharing of food has been a great way of socializing with one’s neighbors and creating bonds. Here at HCV, we have meals in the resident center that bring a sense of family. Some residents worked very hard to make the season possible. The holidays were the first several people had in a home and/or with others they could celebrate with. Thank you to the Albany community who contributed so much to make this possible. The craft fair was a success, allowing us to earn funds to do extra activities as a group. Learning about each person’s talent and passion has been heartwarming.
In the spirit of learning to be self-sufficient, become healthier and eat more nutritious and natural foods, raised garden beds were put in place. For some, this is their first experience of building things and growing their own foods. Seeing the smiles, while residents ask questions and are learning that sustainability is possible brings hope for the village, is rewarding. One resident has already planted vegetables appropriate for this time of year and we have classes coming to teach us how to start plants in the green house.
We have been able to cut down on the amount of garbage going to the landfill by creating a compost pile. The various ways to cut expenses are encouraging and we continue to find more ways to assist us in being successful here.
Turning trash to treasure is not something everyone can do. We here at HCV believe that there is a purpose for all things and for all people. Being a part of watching people who may not have had a sense of self-worth blossom into the beautiful human beings they are becoming is a gift in and of itself.
In the spirit of making use of all things and saving on the electric bills, many of us learned about solar power as we watched our panels go up. Flipping the switch to turn it on was exciting. The ability to save money to keep rent low is comforting.
The Village is proving to be the place many are given the chance to be treated as a person for the first time in decades. The sense of hope, family, and possibility is unlike any other experience.
As winter allows the earth to rest, we look forward to the experience of watching new life being created when spring blooms here at Hub City Village.