Love is Love has become one of the staple mantras used to support people who identify as LGBTQIA+.   It indicates that people are people, and romantic love is the same - no matter your sexual preferences and gender identity.   

Today, I am approaching this from the opposite direction to argue that, additionally, familial love is love and should not be dependent upon preconceived notions or cultural judgments.   

Love is unconditional.  You don't stop loving someone simply because they decided to get a tattoo or piercing or that they let you know that they identify differently than the label you or society has placed upon them. And specifically, not because they have grown and changed through the mistakes they learned from along the way.  In the same way, you don't stop loving someone because they became a vegetarian, colored their hair bright blue, or decided to move to New Zealand to pursue a career in film making or maybe even raise sheep.  

Learning to accept and honor our true selves and living authentically without our socially accepted mask in place is hard enough. Don't make it more difficult by presenting your love as conditional to your (and society's) biases and prejudices.  

Love is Love - a clear statement to sum up the boundless encouragement, advocacy, respect, trust, and generosity every person on this earth needs (and deserves) to not only survive but to thrive, discover, and live their purpose. 

If you have considered Deep Root Center, but have held back because of finances, we would like you to know that Deep Root Center has implemented a new "Pay What You Can" policy.  We have done this because, like we have explicit trust in all of our members, we also trust our families to talk openly with our staff about their budget, and what they can reasonably afford.  Get in touch today - we look forward to hearing your story.

Bottom line: We are here to support every child to be their awesomely authentic selves and your financial situation should have nothing to do with that.

For as long as I have been alive (or so it seems), I have never quite fit in - to people's expectations or, to be honest, the cultural norms of our society. Whenever there is a form or questionnaire to fill out, most of my responses are either the "other" box or "N/A." This issue has continued by natural extension to Deep Root Center, the organization I founded and lead, as the Executive Director.  And is the main reason I despise "officialdom."  

Besides, "Not-for-Profit," DRC doesn't often fit neatly into any of the categories provided.  And these forms issued by .gov organizations or financial institutions don't usually have "other" or "N/A" as options.  Which means, by design, they don't offer a space where I can explain what, why, & how.  And within that, the person on the other side processing the form has no latitude to make decisions on their own - based on what I would consider being common sense.  

This rigidity frequently means we (DRC) miss out on opportunities that other businesses have automatic inclusion simply because they can check off all the boxes.  

However, I believe that ultimately all the "officialdoms" and society, in general, will lose out because of their inherent inability to be flexible.

Diversity is the key to survival - diversity in not only appearance but thought, as well.  Anyone with a basic understanding of biology recognizes this truth. If everyone fits effortlessly into the boxes provided and no one challenges the norms - our culture is doomed.

Cultivating an appreciation for scientific methodology, including an open mind and willingness to experiment, make mistakes, get messy, be wrong, and ultimately prove a replicable hypothesis, is essential to our ultimate endurance on this planet. Flexibility and the ability to "think outside the box," for the good of all, are undervalued and crucial talents.

At this point in my life, I am proud to say, "I refuse to fit inside your box."  "I will be flexible, I will be creative, I will seek out new ideas, and I will lead by example."  My default mode will always be - "how can I help you and, by extension, our community?"

This past week, a colleague (close friend) and I were having a conversation, in person, something we had not done since Mid-November.  She told me about a program that she had discovered, through a friend, that would have been perfect for her. However, she did not pursue it because the application process was all digitized.  For many of us, that would not be the deciding factor to apply or not, but for her, it was.  She is completely overwhelmed by any form of technology.   

I encounter this type of story more than you can imagine.  Avoidance of the things we find hard comes into play for everyone.  As a society, we tend to separate into two categories: "abled" and disabled.  I believe that, even if we are considered "normal," we all have some form of "disability" simply because each of our brains works in unique ways. This means we are all avoiding and missing out on opportunities that would otherwise be perfectly suited to us.  

When my friend told me this story, I immediately said, "dang, if you had told me, I would have helped you fill out the application."  It breaks my heart that in so many cases, instead of seeking assistance, because we feel stupid or don't want to appear "helpless," "lazy," or like a "cheater," we give up on our dreams.  

I blame our reluctance to ask for help on our culture. 1) The very foundation of our educational system rests upon coercion and control, not trust.  2) We are a nation that touts independence, competitiveness, resilience, grit, and determination as positive character traits, despite the first point (more than a bit hypocritical in my thinking).  3) We view disability as something to "reform" to fit into the "normal" world.  4) When people use "hacks" or accomplish something in a way that is different from the "norm,"  we accuse them of cheating and laziness - which are bad(!) and to be avoided at all costs!  

What if, instead, we: 1) trust that everyone will accomplish what they need to do  2) expected people to ask for help when they require it 3) saw all humanity as simply differently-abled and adjusted our reality to accommodate everyone 4) normalized "hacks" and abolished the concept of cheating from our cultural understanding?  

I believe our world would be a different place, one filled with engaged, community-minded folks happily discovering and following their purpose.  Some would accuse me of aiding and abetting lazy, no-good cheaters or maybe even seeking utopia.  I still say, "So what, wouldn't it be worth it to try?" 

This video by Liam Crossem Films explains the DRC culture.

Yesterday I was the unwilling witness, through the closed office window at the Center, to an incident of ethnically inspired bullying.  At first, I didn't understand what was going on when I heard the muffled voices.  A black college student was walking past toward the village - which is not an unusual sight.  I could only see him, so I was confused to hear voices.  Then I saw him turn around, facing the house next door, gesture to himself, say something, shrug, shake his head, and proceed to walk backward a bit, still shaking his head, before turning around to continue his trek down the street. 

It was only after he was past our property that I realized what I had heard.  At the moment that it hit me, I was absolutely rip-roaring, madly furious.  Fortunately, I stopped for a moment to consider the fallout before instinctively running out to confront the person on the neighboring porch.  

DRC is a haven for children.  The building is empty for days on end (especially now, during the pandemic). Those two facts were enough to stop me from standing up against bigotry and hate speech in our neighborhood.   

I could not stop thinking about it, though - driving to the grocery store and then home.  The same thoughts kept circling my head - these unfortunate SUNY Canton students have to run that gauntlet every damn time they have to walk to the store or work.  How many times do they have to listen to that bullshit in a given day?  What does that do to their psyche? And, what does that say about our village and the North Country, in general?  

I grew up here - So, yes, I know this is nothing new.   But, between the confederate flags flying high (the hypocrisy astounds) from the coal-rolling, "big ass" pickup trucks covered with offensive stickers, the racial slur laced epitaphs spray painted and chalked throughout the NoCo, and everything in between (social media comments), this is an entirely different level of hate.  I won't even touch the PR coming out of the local law enforcement agencies in response to police reforms. If you would like to read some of the garbage, this is a recent report about the Malone Police from NCPR.  

So the question circling my mind last evening is: what can I (we) do, without endangering DRC or our students, to help the BIOPIC, and other people at risk, who have no option but to walk by that one house every time they need to go to town?  I understand that in the grand scheme of things - this is infinitesimal. However, is there a way we can make their lives just a little bit better? Is there something we can do to put a smile on their face (and heart) and let them know we appreciate them and they are welcome here? I also want them (and the perpetrators) to understand that we will not tolerate bullying or hate speech in our front yard (or, our community).

Then I had an idea - which is related to another incident from last December.  Bear with me through the background story:

Last spring, the front yard became a huge mud hole that trapped two vehicles at different times.  One required a tow truck.  I decided to install a pallet fence as a barrier to stop people from parking on the lawn.  A few St. Lawrence students worked hard during "make a difference day" in October to hammer in the t-posts and slip the pallets over them to create the fence.  Before we could hang flower boxes and create a beautiful art installation with them, as intended, we closed the Center for COVID in mid-November.  In early December, I got a call from the code-enforcer telling me to take down the pallets because someone had complained that they were not in keeping with the "character of the neighborhood."  Instead of arguing or pleading our case, we complied.

When we go back in April, I want to use those pallets to create a different kind of art installation - one that has social justice and anti-racism at its core. The kids can design this beautiful statement to celebrate the diversity and uniqueness of each individual.  It will serve as a testament to the fact that we will not tolerate hate speech or bigotry in our front yard.   

I can imagine children throughout the NoCo, taking on this project as a community effort. With beautifully hand-painted signs covered in messages of inclusivity, kindness, and hope, you, too, can proclaim, "not in my front yard!" 

As mentioned last Sunday, we will be back in-person at both centers for two days each week, beginning the week of April 12th.  

If you would like to help with the above plan or other outdoor gardening and carpentry projects, please get in touch.

Big News!  Our physical doors in both Canton and Lawrenceville will open again, April 12th, with our full COVID safety plan in place.  To begin, each Center will be in session two days a week. We will retain our remote schedule for the days we are not in person and for all of our Distance Learners. If all goes well, we will return to our full schedule for the month of May. This plan, of course, will be dependent upon COVID numbers remaining low in St. Lawrence County.  

Conspiracies are simply the stories we tell ourselves (or latch onto) when the factual narrative doesn't fit our world-view or feels too uncomfortable.  We all have things that we believe about ourselves or that fit into our ethical code - and, most importantly, we are all willing to fight to hold onto them.  

There is a difference between those personal stories, which may be detrimental to our individual well-being but are not connected to others and are not widely recognized conspiracy theories.

The dangerous piece about the latter is that outside (wealthy or powerful) "influencers" build stories around a microscopic grain of truth (without truly believing) as a means to control a group of people who are already receptive to endorsing them, even if they seem from the outside to be against their best interest.  You might also recognize it as the same M.O. of cults. They target the (emotionally or economically) vulnerable folks who have already bought the narrative of fringe groups or are looking for "easy" solutions and someone to blame, as well as acceptance, connections, and a community that will welcome them.  

These "authorities" frequently provide plausible explanations for why the facts or actual science behind something is a hoax.  One of the most common tools is to say that scientists are "always changing their minds."  Or that "the science is always changing" because they understand that "change" is a scary, triggering word.

I am here to point out that the basic definition of science includes the understanding that what we know as truth, right now, is susceptible to change as we experiment and learn more.  

I don't need to tell you that conspiracy theories are dangerous.  Not only are they devised to control and manipulate the way people think about particular phenomena or events, but they also provide the impetus for this group to become violent because they fully believe that their way of life is threatened.  And that is, exactly, where we are now.  

Thus far, I seem to have outlined this significant problem without offering any viable solutions.

When I think of those folks who embrace conspiracy theories, hook, line, and sinker -  first I consider why they are susceptible to being reeled in.  In most cases, it is not, as often claimed, a lack of education or science curriculum.  As I comprehend the situation, it comes down to the lack of meaningful connection to a caring community.  

As educators, it is our obligation to take the time to listen to and understand each person in our care.  If we don't, we are partially responsible for fostering another closed mind - a person who generates (or accepts) negative stories and becomes afraid of change.  

When folks can't see beyond that personal narrative that each of us lives within, it directly influences their ability to take on new challenges and invite change. They will continuously look at the world from a narrow space of defeatism or victim-hood and see everything new as a menace to their very existence.

In direct contrast, people with positive view-points are wide open to fresh ideas and are more willing to research the validity of proposed conspiracies. They also sincerely welcome adaptation to their internal stories.

This, right here, is why mentor-ship is proven to be one of the most effective tools in transforming lives and communities. 

What are you good at?  Not surprisingly, your answers to that question are likely the same as the things that interest you - the things you like to do.   

We often quibble that we aren't good at certain things because we don't have a natural gift; however, researchers have proven that innate talent is, mostly, a myth.  We become skilled because we practice.  Additionally, not coincidentally, those things that we practice are the ones that bring us the most joy.  

Sadly, for the most part, our children don't have the freedom to discover their interests; therefore, they don't have the luxury to develop their talents.  From an early age, adults guide their every activity - even play, through coercion, reward, and punishment.  Whether it is an attempt to "keep up" with other kids of the same age, fear of judgment for failing as a "good," attentive, and involved parent, or of injury, children are losing out through their over-protectiveness.

Consequently, many of the kids who sit across from me during our initial meeting can not answer the title question.  The responses vary from verbal stumbling, blank stares, or an embarrassed side-eye.  But, sometimes, they go into detail about something they are utterly passionate about, with glowing eyes, expressive hands, and enormous grins of enthusiasm. Suddenly they stop short, place a hand over their mouth, and apologize because they realize they had been expressing their love for something that is not considered "academic."  At that moment, before I can rush in to reassure them that everything "counts" - I am the unwilling witness to the draining of pure joy.

Why is our culture so very determined to shut that beautiful energy down?  I have asked these questions many times before: why do we let external forces determine validity?  Why is our children's worth measured by what they can "learn" in school and not by those things they love and excel at?  And, why are they told they can pursue their passions after they sit through 13, 17, or 19 years of "education" - when we know that practice of a craft increases the likelihood of success and overall happiness?  

Among other things, I am a writer because I love to write.  I am a cook because I love to cook. I am a mentor because I take pure delight in providing the resources, standing back, and watching while kids explore all their possibilities and discover what they want to practice.   

I ask again - what are you good at?  What brings you joy? 

DRC has increased the number of SLU students, from the Community Based Learning Program, who are facilitating remote sessions, from nine to twelve over the past week.  Thanks to these new folks, we have added some very cool sessions to our already full calendar - including another Animal Geek Club for all of our animal obsessed peeps, a character and setting development session, as a companion to our drama class, and we are re-working our make-up tutorial class to include body painting techniques to create a double header with the new cosplay class where participants are able to fully develop their characters image. 

Everything in our schedule represents the direct requests of our student members.  If you are seeking a way to take control of your own education - get in touch.  Deep Root Center accepts new members throughout the academic year.

Yesterday, my brother Pete, the grower and producer of Rel Hemp products, put out a request for comments on his social media posts asking the question, "what is your purpose?" I wanted to respond to his question but couldn't. Let me explain. On any given day, everything I write, whether it is a response on a post, a letter or email, or this blog, needs to run itself through the filters in the depths of my subconscious before it comes out.  I can try to write in the moment, but whatever spews forth is utter crap.  And truth be told, the exercise is mentally excruciating.     

However, in this particular case, it was more than my typical process at work.  I realized last evening when I tried to write this piece (and came up with total shit) that I felt like a Play-Doh fun factory had squeezed me into a useless, limp pile of emotionally charged mush.   

Take your pick: anger, rage, fury, irritation, agitation, bitterness, contempt,  disgust, frustration, grief, horror, embarrassment, resentment, shock, hurt, dread, loathing, and vengefulness.  These are just a few of the emotions that have cycled through this brain in the past twenty-four hours, and those stacked onto the already long list, which included: uninspired, anxious, disengaged, listless, discouraged, and overwhelmed.

Beyond the obvious - a national shit-show that proved that someone is, quite literally, capable of getting away with murder, as long as they produce an alternative story, filled with lies, that millions can and will adopt as truth.  I also learned of another peripheral tragedy that was, in hindsight, most likely caused by incredibly stupid, holier than thou, and irresponsible (possibly criminal) leadership.  And to top it all off, this pandemic has rendered me (us) into a place of ambiguity, stagnation, and restlessness.

I understand what my purpose is in "normal" times.  I know why I used to fly out of bed at 5 am ready to take on the world.  But for someone who thrives on inventing new ideas and who flourishes when things are in flux and the process of morphing, this is soul-sucking.  I am that person who, absolutely, needs the stimulus and upheaval of change.  

And as a direct contradiction, yes, I am also an introvert who appreciates orchestrating all of that from my quietly remote "nest."  

The unknowing and uncertainty feeds my restlessness and inability to focus.  How can I drive the next thing for DRC when none of us knows what to expect in the next week, month, or year?  

And more importantly, what can I do to generate enough personal excitement through this lassitude and all of the other "feels" to construct something concrete, worthwhile, and doable, which may only be tangentially related to Deep Root Center?  

Oh, I know, as "they" say, "this too shall pass."  And, I will figure out how to get myself motivated and kicked into "high-gear" eventually.  

Come to think of it - I can almost feel the creative juices begin to simmer and bubble.  Maybe, this is what I needed - to acknowledge and be honest (to you and myself) about my feelings of intense anger, impotence, inadequacy, and defeat.  

In the next week or so, we will be rolling out short social media video clips taken from interviews of our kiddos, parents, and me when Liam Crossen Films was here gathering footage in November.  I will share them here, and on our website, as well.

Happy Valentines Day (for those who celebrate)!

A question for the ages.  Most likely asked by the parents of these artists.  When at age five, they littered the house with minuscule pieces of paper cut from colorful magazine pages to glue onto a poster board.   

Or, when now-famous authors read everything they could get their hands on, including the cereal box while eating said cereal at the breakfast table.

Or the engineers, builders, and trades people who spent hours every day building with Legos, magnetic rods, or craft sticks, various cardboard boxes, and hot glue. (We won't mention the number of vacuums and other electronic devices they tore apart to discover how they work.)

Or the medical professionals, fascinated with the Grey's Anatomy textbook and incurable diseases from a very early age.  

Or the working musicians, who memorized every lick and lyric from their favorite rock band while beating the life out of their first cheap guitar.

And now parents are asking this very question of their kids while they engage in multi-player virtual games.  Can we even begin to guess what skills they are attaining or where it will take them?  

None of us know what this world will look like or what jobs will be out there when our kids are old enough to enter the workforce.  

However, understanding that statement as undeniable truth doesn't stop us from judging how our kids spend their time.  

The blatant hypocrisy is dumbfounding. We want our kids to develop self-motivation but punish them for focusing on (practicing) the things we don't deem valuable.  And, as adults, we would never accept someone telling us how to spend our time.

The universal argument about balance, the one that I have used more than I would like to admit, is not valid when you understand that balance means something different for each one of us.

As I articulated earlier this week, what if equilibrium is simpler - a fleeting sensation that comes and goes seemingly without logical explanation?  What if it has nothing to do with the work, play, rest cycle?  But, instead is the moments in between where we find our bliss - our reason for being.  

You and I can not determine those moments for anyone besides ourselves, even if they are our children (or students).  

*This post was inspired by this article, which I can only imagine was written by a once frustrated parent who asked the title question.

Our "Why" video inspired some lovely comments this past week.  Here it is again, in case you have not had a chance to view it, yet.  This is encapsulates our  Mission Statement in a way that I will never be able to explain through the written word, here. 

A huge shout of thanks to Liam Crossen Films for producing this video.

Authors Note: In November, we had a filmmaker spend three days with us to interview staff, parents, and kids, as well as capture our everyday moments. He recently sent me rough drafts of four short videos that he had created with some of the footage. One is entitled "Why". That one hit me hard - right in the tear-jerking place, and that is where this particular blog post came from.

You know that satisfying emotion - the one you feel when you realize that someone "gets" you?  Is there a better feeling in this world - when you know that you can be yourself with that person - no filters, no actor's masks, or mental gymnastics required?

Asking someone to adapt themselves to conform - is asking them to change their inherent being because we can't manage them the way they are.  Kids know when they don't "fit" in.  And their takeaway is that they are broken in some fundamental way.  

It is my contention that every child should experience affirmation every single day.  Every kid deserves to be surrounded by people who accept them on every level and where no one will try to change them to fit into the environment (or society).   

Rather than reforming the essence of any child, I believe that we should alter the environment, along with our own biases.   

This includes everything, from medical diagnoses to identity.  For example, children with ADHD need an environment that supports their momentum and staggering creativity fueled by wild curiosity.  It is no different than adapting the room for a wheelchair, walker, or other physical handicap support.  And, when a child tells you their personal pronouns and the name they prefer - use them!  No snide remarks, eye rolls, or arguments are required (or even permitted).  

Wait!  I am not telling you to stop supporting children to improve their skill levels and learn new tasks.  However, I am saying that we can not take it on, as a task, with the intention of changing them to suit our (or society's) needs or expectations.  

All children deserve to be celebrated. Not for what they can or can not do, but for who they are - deep inside.  When kids feel like they are OK, as they are, self-assurance becomes their default mode.  And when people feel content, they are more likely to take on new challenges and look at the world as a place to explore all the possibilities.

This, in a nutshell, is why Deep Root Center exists. 

We are happy to say that eight St. Lawrence University students will be volunteering again this semester through the Community Based Learning Program.  They will offer classes and activities through our virtual learning portal on the Discord App. You can find our schedule here.  Keep in mind that it will be updated regularly over the next week as we create sessions for the students that fit within their preferences and weekly calendars.

DRC accepts new student members throughout the year.  If you are interested in joining our community, please get in touch.

This is our "Did You Know" series, on Social Media, from this past week.

Who is your tribe?  To be clear, who are the people you align yourself with ideologically, not ethnically?  

Some of us can admit (I can only hope), our answer to that question five, or ten years ago (or possibly even six months ago) was different than our response today.

Despite the common understanding, based on a system that trains us from an early age to do the exact opposite (how many times have you heard "make up your mind and stick with it?"), our personal belief systems should transmute and change as we grow and become aware of ideas and information that were not previously part of our understanding.  No, it doesn't make you "wishy-washy," contradictory, or weak.   It, in its purest essence, defines a receptive and flexible open mind (and science).  

And on the other side of the coin, the inability and unwillingness to explore new concepts and change your opinion do not imply a strength of will or character. They are the precise descriptions of narrow-mindedness and intolerance (and pseudo-science).  

I have a theory that some people are more susceptible to believing conspiracy theories spouted by charlatans because they feel disconnected and disengaged.  I am basing my premise on existing research around addiction.  There have been many studies, with humans and other animals, that have proven that a lack of meaningful relationships drives the habitual seeking of something else to take the place of it.   

Within that theory, I find it utterly fascinating that people with an insular perspective actively try to convince themselves and others (gas-lighting) that they are, in actuality, not closed to new ideas by doing "research" and "seeking" out data.  Because of the proliferation of biased media sources and straight-up fake news outlets, it is easier to find and latch onto these con-men and become addicted to cherry-picking and spinning information that "proves" their original rigid stance.  

And this is where we are right now.  When one tribe is engaged in the fantasy of strength and moral rectitude and incited by inaccuracy and delusional behavior, it becomes the meeting place of conflict - the conflagration of ideologies.  

With that understanding, I remain committed to providing a community where engagement and connection are the foundation.  And a place (even though it is virtual right now) where everyone is encouraged to explore the possibilities, make mistakes, and, yes, change their minds whenever they discover a new way of thinking.

This past week , in honor of our 7th Birthday, on our social media, we revisited the Liberated Learner Seven Guiding Principles articulated by Ken Danford, the co-founder of North Star in Sunderland, MA.  Find the descriptions here.

Membership is Open
Our staff and student members are still connecting remotely through our virtual schedule.  If you are interested in joining the DRC community, please get in touch.  

As is customary, we all tend to take stock at the end of one year and the beginning of the next.  This time around, it seems like there is even more at stake.  We are putting an awful lot of pressure on 2021. 

However, I would point out that the dumpster fire, shit show that was 2020, was not about the year - it never is.  It was a perfect storm, a culmination of nearly 250 years of bad decisions and horrendous policies developed by people (oligarchs) who have no concern for anyone but themselves (egos) and their wallets.  

It isn't up to 2021 to solve these problems - it can't.  January 20th, while a hugely positive step, will not, alone, usher in our saving graces.  The fundamental issues of an inequitable and unjust society will be festering just below the glossy patina of this new administration, in the same way, it has for our entire history.  

It is up to us, the people who have the most at stake, to get creative and disrupt the status quo.  Begin by supporting your neighbors.  Stop thinking of charity as handouts and start considering it an act of resistance.  The best way to make progress and to change the culture is to build it up from the bottom - the very roots.  Eventually, these acts of rebellion, hidden within gestures of caring and kindness, will forge community, which will, over time, go on to generate a new way of thinking about the essential construct of our entire culture and society.  

Absolutely, spend some time to reflect. Get a firm grasp on your personal takeaways - then use that knowledge to interrupt, disrupt, and make a difference. 2021 will not be any different than 2020 unless you and I commit to a cultural revolution fueled by compassion, consideration, understanding, and respect.  

• After watching this video from Beau of the Fifth, I was able to finally get all of the disconnected thoughts that have been churning around my head for the past few weeks to coalesce into something that makes sense. 

In January 2014, DRC Canton opened our doors with one very cool ten-year-old, me, a couple of computers, no heat, no internet, a few pieces of furniture, and a whole lot of dreams. Now, seven years later, we have a total of thirty-eight amazing students, divided between two Centers and the Distance Learning Program.  We own one of those facilities, have an awesome staff and volunteers, there are heat and internet, as well as tons of resources and materials, and we still have some really big aspirations.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this amazing journey.  I am beyond grateful to all of you for the love, support, and hard work that has gone into making this vision come true.  Onward!

And, if you would like to join DRC, as we move full steam ahead into 2021 please get in touch.

Best wishes for a bright, curiosity filled New Year from the entire DRC Crew!  Take some risks! Get messy!  And, have fun!

What can DRC offer our student members during a global pandemic? Back in March, I struggled with this question mightily. We have always provided a physical space filled with resources and materials, where spontaneity and creativity ruled our daily itinerary, as well as an open environment free of coercion and compulsory activities.  We never had a formal schedule of classes that everyone adhered to, let alone shared on a video chat.  

And, to be honest, in the middle of March, when we shut down the first time, despite trying to offer an alternative way to "do DRC" on Discord or Google Meet, our kids straight-up refused. They were happy to check in every few weeks to report on what they were working on, so we could write their homeschool progress reports together, but they honestly didn't need DRC.

Fast forward through the Summer when I spent my days preparing to be, in-person, at both Centers, with as many safety precautions in place as humanly possible, in September.  One of those built-in safety features came directly from the St. Lawrence University Community Based Learning Program who sends us student volunteers each semester. They had decided to have their students participate in the program following a completely remote model.  This fall, they assigned us, seven students, for two hours a week, each.

That was the impetus we needed to create a weekly slate of virtual sessions based entirely on what our student members requested, as well as the talents and knowledge that the SLU students wanted to share with our kids.  We supplemented what they were offering with sessions filled with hands-on activities facilitated by the DRC staff.  
   
The other driving force behind this first-ever formal schedule was our newly designed distance learning program. Without a daily itinerary, the distance learning peeps would not know when to connect with us virtually.  

I am happy to say that, in Canton, it worked!  Well, with a few technical glitches that are part of learning a new system, as well as hourly reminders that classes were starting.  It worked so well that we began offering the hands-on sessions that the staff was facilitating as virtual options, too. And, when kids stayed at home because of illness or anxiety about COVID, they continued to connect to their sessions remotely.

I should mention that during the fall, the Lawrenceville (DRC- East) Peeps didn't participate in the virtual schedule. They were happily engaged with their hands-on, completely spontaneous immersion in whatever "lit their fire" on any particular day.

Fast forward, again, to mid-November, when COVID numbers began rising in St. Lawrence County, and a good number of our families were keeping their children home. Our daily numbers at the Canton Center dropped to three to five kids.  We decided, once again, to close. At that point, the SLU students had one more week of their sessions before they finished the semester.  After our experience during the Spring, I was nervous.  Would our kids want to, or even remember to, sign in to their virtual classes?  For the most part, they did!  

That confirmation was all we needed to set-up a new schedule of remote sessions facilitated by the staff and DRC kids following Thanksgiving week.  Again, these are classes and activities that our student members specifically requested.  Many are carry-overs from the previous schedule with a new facilitator, and a few are new.   

We are now two weeks into this new itinerary, and I am thrilled to report that most of our kids signed up for a good number of sessions (including the Lawrenceville Peeps), and they are showing up. Not only that, but we are noticing that they hang out after their sessions are technically over, sometimes for hours.  

What have we learned through all this?  Firstly, we have proven, again, that, as an organization, we are unbelievably flexible.  We are adept at providing for all the needs of our student members within the confines of any given situation, even if we have to create something, quite literally, on the fly.

Secondly, we have confirmed (once again) that our non-coercive methods work. These kids are actively engaged and are making connections to their community, the people they have grown to trust, and, yes, love - even when there are additional hoops to jump through. (No one is sitting next to them, telling them to turn on their computers and sign-in.)  

And lastly, as we already know, human beings, are naturally designed to grow and learn, which means we will intrinsically adapt and, yes, even thrive when given the opportunity.

* P.S. - Gratitude to Elian, who is facilitating the majority of these virtual sessions, as well as Chase and Ryan for showing up for our kids every day.

DRC News

DRC is open to any child who is struggling and unhappy with their virtual or hybrid school experience.  Contact us today to learn more about our Distance Learning Programs.

Thank you!
We are sending out a shout of gratitude to the Canton Community Fund Board of directors.  They approved our grant asking for five Chromebooks.  Thanks to them, our Canton students have, all-important, access to their community.

Funding Appeal
We are still seeking contributions to our Fall Funding Appeal.  You can donate here, or you can send a check directly to DRC at 48 Riverside Dr., Canton, NY 13617.  Thank you!

2020 Funding Appeal - the digital version of our newsletter went out his past week. We are awaiting delivery of the paper copies, which will go out as soon as we receive them.  

If you are able, please consider a contribution.  Thank you!

Those of you who know me, either in person or through these weekly musings, have heard me rail against the constraints of societal norms. Within that, you have probably noticed that I regularly express my contempt for tradition, ritual, and routine.

This morning while I was lying on the bedroom floor, talking myself through daily yoga poses and stretches, I realized, with some clarity, that I willingly participate in some routine activities every single day without chafing against them.  And, in most cases, those rituals make my life measurably better.   

What then is the difference?  Why do some push all my buttons, while others are appreciated habits?  This thought process, of course, sent me down another rabbit hole, a place I visit quite often while on the yoga mat in various, adapted poses. Today, while laying in the final backstretch, waiting to hear the popping sound that indicates that my hips have achieved (semi) alignment, the words "expectation" and "obligation" dropped into my head simultaneously.   That one collective concept is, of course, the key.  

When I feel pushed and coerced into doing something, simply because it is tradition, I will automatically rebel.  In my mind, there doesn't need to be any other logical reason.  For some, my rebellion over seemingly inconsequential stuff has the appearance of pure obstinacy or ridiculous lines drawn in the sand.  

However, it makes utter sense when you consider that inconsistency, along with contradiction and hypocrisy, is the combination of traits that rests second on my list of pet peeves.

Why would I blindly accept (and celebrate) the ritualistic traditions that are part of my culture when my daily reality runs counter to societal norms, including the mission of providing a non-coercive educational environment and programming for any child who needs us?  Not only that, but I also (some would say foolishly) trust that those kids are intrinsically motivated to seek out everything they need to grow and learn.

This internal conversation all leads, quite handily, to the reason this particular warren of thoughts was grappling for release from my subconscious this morning.

It is once again the time of year that we reach out to you for financial assistance. Yes, asking for your contribution has become an annual tradition. However, the last thing I want is for you to feel obligated to donate. Just as I am confident in our student's abilities to take on whatever challenges they encounter, I trust that the folks with whom our message resonates, and are able, will support us financially.

That, indeed, was the case for an incredibly generous donor who recently sent an unsolicited check for $5000.00.  There are no words for the emotions that swirled when I opened that envelope. Nor for the short message I received a few days later in response to my note of thanks, stating that he wanted to acknowledge his appreciation of our work, especially during these challenging times.  

I am deeply grateful for every dollar and for every kind word of support that recognizes our commitment to honoring our promise to our community. Thank you!

* Contribute an online donation here, or send a check to Deep Root Center, 48 Riverside Dr., Canton, NY 13617.

Yes, "this" sucks in so many ways. Folks are sick and dying, are forced to work in unsafe conditions, or have lost their jobs. Many can't pay their rent (or mortgage), buy food and other necessities, and can't find childcare - which only highlights the fact that those without privilege are (and will be) the hardest hit.  Some would argue the very definition of entitlement is freedom (h/t Kenzie Corse).  That, however, is a critical conversation I will save for another day.  

The point I would like to make today is that each of us with privilege, who can shelter at home without repercussions, has the opportunity to embrace all the possibilities (without whining about our lack of freedoms).  Foremost, it is a chance to generate ideas - new ways of being and doing. The tired argument, "this is the way we have always done it," does not work, and to be honest, it never has.

Additionally, if you are waiting for our world to go back to normal - please understand that normalcy never existed.  And even if it had, why would we want to go back?  

Yes, I completely understand the feelings of utter exhaustion that accompanies all of "this." The bone-deep weariness that invades and impedes our desire to be creative, as well as all the good intentions buried beneath our body and mind's demand to hibernate. (Note that collection of blog posts I promised that never got written and my second children's book that was never illustrated or self-published.) 

Nevertheless, I am continuously inspired and motivated by the innovations and forward motion that has come, despite the mental and physical fatigue, as a direct response to the challenges presented by this pandemic and societal unrest.  

Deep Root Center, for example, developed a new distance learning program, which we were able to devise only because our St. Lawrence University Community Based Learning (CBL) students had to volunteer virtually.  We generated a schedule of Google Meet sessions, based on what our in-person and distance learning kids were interested in, then paired DRC members with the CBL facilitators and mentors.

This experiment was so successful we began adding the projects and activities the staff was facilitating in-person at the Center to the virtual schedule.  Up till now, with a couple of exceptions, only our Canton kids and the Distance Learning peeps have taken advantage of the virtual opportunities. Happily, now that we are fully remote, with a schedule of Google Meet and Discord sessions facilitated by DRC staff, our Lawrenceville kids are hopping on board.   

This level of engagement would not have been possible without the innovations that came out of necessity.  Despite not being together in a physical space, we are all enriched.  

History has taught us that forward motion will always be uncomfortable, initially. The path to progress will always be open to those who can think outside the box and embrace (and endure) the growing pains.  

DRC has open enrollment throughout the year.   Get in touch if you would like to join our "virtual" world.  This schedule is flexible; we will add Sessions as they are requested.  

We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at DRC.  Stay safe!

Playing has become a four-letter word in our culture.  Uttering the three words, "I am playing," conjures up frivolity, excess, diversionary tactics, plastic toys, and the needless waste of time.  Which explains why most 9-18-year-olds I meet can look me straight in the eye and say, either, "I used to play when I was young, but I don't anymore, or I don't know how to play."  

Somewhere along the way, we have lost the true definition of play.  It, in its purest form, is exploration based on curiosity, imagination, and creativity.  And not coincidentally, is also the driving force behind all authentic learning.  

Therefore, I am on a mission to normalize and legitimize not only the word but the act of playing.  

Yes, among many other things, I play with written words, graphic design, food, tech skills, and even verbal communication.  I use the word "play" explicitly (and sometimes provocatively) to describe any task.  I want to express very clearly that I enjoy my work and that I anticipate having fun.  

Most of us will only take anything on voluntarily (even if it may seem challenging or hard) if there is the promise of pleasure, happiness, and the feeling of satisfaction from a job well done at the end.  Hence, the very concept of enjoyment drives self-motivation, which, not surprisingly, along with rigor, is the number one concern for most parents (and teens) who contact me.

As human beings, we will not do (or learn) something simply because someone tells us that we "have to" or that it is necessary for our future. 

Our evolution, as humans, required all authentic learning to be driven by imagination, creativity, experimentation, and the exploration of all the things that we are each profoundly interested in. These are the notions that make us ask questions, spend hours contemplating, seeking out the answers, challenging the status quo, and creating solutions, change, and, most importantly, art.

We are all playing here.  Make it worth your while, and have fun!

DRC News

This past week we were very fortunate to have a film-maker, Liam Crossen, at the Center interviewing our student members, staff, and families to create short vignettes, as well as action footage of the Centers for our social media accounts and website. We are excited that you will have the chance to hear about Deep Root Center from the perspective of those who spend their days here.  These will begin rolling out as soon as he has them edited.  Stay-tuned!

This amazing opportunity was perfectly timed - we decided to go fully remote beginning Monday, Nov. 16th, as the number of COVID cases rose exponentially over the last week.  

Our student members will still have the opportunity to connect remotely through the DRC daily schedule of classes and mentoring sessions, as well as on a broader scale with other young people around the world through the Liberated Learners Network schedule of classes. If your virtual education is leaving you feeling bored and uninspired, check us out. DRC is accepting distance learning members throughout the pandemic.

And, a special thank you to Ian Corse for taking the new DRC Logo and  "cleaning it up" for us.