Even though we had a three-day week in Canton (we use local staff development days as staff rest days), it was a full & busy one with lots of outside and creative explorations!

Our Little Free Library is still getting a makeover. Our artists are still working on the back and need to come up with and implement the design for the front. It will hopefully be back up by Tuesday.

The Pop-Ups Crew enjoyed their time at the Norwood and Massena Libraries this week. Janine reported that there was plenty of collaboration on projects, they played their favorite - mum ball, as well as a game one kid created, some took a walk both days, and Janine helped another study his brown belt information. 

The Canton Crew had another busy week, and we actually got some photographic evidence! Among many activities and projects, our writer's workshop peeps met with Abhainn, our SLU volunteer, for the last time on Monday to firm up the story part of their Digby Picture book. Then, they met on their own to develop the storyboard (combining the components of the written story with the planned drawing for each page). Stay tuned as the creative team produces the art and begins to compile the book.

Some of our die-hard winter lovers went sledding (probably for the last time) on the little bit of ice and snow left in our front yard.

Our Little Free Library is getting a much-needed makeover. Our artists will narrow down the themes they brainstormed and get it painted this coming week. We hope to have it back up by Thursday.

We also welcomed a new teen to our crew on Tuesday, and on Thursday, reporter Tom Graser came out to hang with us for a bit and interview us for a story for the Plain Dealer and WDT. Keep an eye out for those.

Janine reports that the Pop-up Peeps had a great time at the Norwood and Massena Libraries this past week. Two of them went out on Wednesday and purchased baked treats from the Norwood News Cafe for everyone, and they had some deep and thoughtful discussions covering a variety of topics each day.

Next week they will be at both libraries again - Norwood on Wednesday (3/16) and Massena Thursday (3/17). 

We cannot begin to express how grateful we are for our Pop-up Hosts. They are the only reason we can continue this program! Thank you!

Thank you to the Stewart's shops for two recent donations. The first was a $300 check supporting DRC's Healing Through Mentoring & Creative Expression Project. And the second was a $250 check from their Annual Holiday Match to support purchasing food for our cooking classes and daily lunch program.

Slash-and-burn is a traditional agricultural method used by indigenous peoples in rain forests around the world. This technique involves girdling trees (slashing) and burning them once they have died. It was an effective tool for small-scale food production, allowing families or villages to grow their own food. It created space, enriched the soil sustainably, allowed for forest regeneration, and worked for centuries.

...Until, in very simplistic terms, big companies took over the land to overproduce cash crops for international sales, effectively raping the land (destroying rain forests by the thousands of acres a day) and forcing previous landowners into servitude - farming mono-cultures to survive, then exporting it all - making obscene profits for the corporations.  Meanwhile, the farmers must rely on imports of lesser-quality food to feed their families.

The parallels to what is happening in real-time are undeniable and truly vile - which is utterly beyond my comprehension. But then, I guess that is the point.

Nonetheless,  I will continue to provide "my" kiddos with a safe, open educational environment where they will find all the kindness, trust, and respect they deserve. I will continue supporting all the folks who reach out for assistance. Additionally, I will continue to highlight our dedication to things like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ---  because I refuse to let a slash-and-burn strategy and a sheer lack of integrity influence my values or destroy the community we have built.

The one and only thought that gets me through the days is that I know a majority of folks are right there with me.

The Canton Crew had a busy week - however, we forgot to take photos.

The Pop-Ups Peeps enjoyed their time at the Nicandri Nature Center and the Massena Library this week.

We had a great time meeting folks at the Kid Expo yesterday! Thanks to everyone who stopped by to talk and create art.

Lotto Raffle - One week left to buy your chances!

It infuriates me when folks refer to adults who are badly behaved as children or toddlers. Just No!

Instead, let's name the dreadful behavior - bullying, disrespecting, antagonizing, throwing a tantrum, belligerence, hostility, narcissism, playing the victim, sabotaging, gaslighting, greediness, manipulation, and all the endless versions of disgusting a$$holery.

None of these should be equated with the word childish.

Yes, children misbehave sometimes; however, it is usually not premeditated or vindictive. Children are growing and learning beings who get angry, frustrated, sad, disappointed, and generally dysregulated and act out. With loving guidance, they can discover how to respectfully and safely negotiate their emotions and behavior without hurting themselves or others.  

Badly behaved adults are just that, with no excuses or equivalencies.   

The DRC Canton Crew had a great week!

The Pop-Ups Peeps met at Nicandri and the Massena Public Library this past week.

They will be at Nicandri again this Wednesday and the Massena Library on Thursday.

Janine suggests kiddos bring snow gear on the days they are at Nicandri so they can access the skis, snowshoes, and outdoor fun. She also encourages participants to bring their laptops/devices, snacks, and projects or games they want to share/work on with others.

We finished the month with moving quotes from these six influential black women.

In solidarity with all women, DRC is honoring several inspiring voices to celebrate Women's History Month in March. Stay tuned to our social media accounts for daily quotes.

The Canton Crew had the week off for midwinter break.

The Pop-ups Peeps had fun at the Massena & Norwood libraries on Thursday & Friday. They will return to their Wednesday and Thursday schedule this coming week. They will be at Nicandri on Wednesday and the Massena Library on Thursday.  All homeschool families are welcome to participate.

We had another short week with a snow day on Thursday. That didn't stop our Canton crew from having cool adventures and exploring all the possibilities.

The Canton Center is on mid-winter break this coming week and will return on Monday the 24th.

Our Pop-Ups Peeps were affected by the Thursday storm too. They met on Friday at the Norwood library and had a great time.

The Pop-ups will be meeting this coming week. Janine will meet everyone on Thursday 2/20 at the Massena Library, 1-4:15 and Friday at the Norwood Library, 1-4.

Man, this has been a tough one to write. This is the third or maybe fourth major revision. I 'm really not sure, I lost track a few hours ago. I do now that way more has been deleted than written in an attempt to get these thoughts that have been swirling around my head for a while now - out with a modicum of coherence and sensitivity.

Sometimes, as much as we may want to have a protected space for our kiddos - current events and viewpoints find their way into our community dialogue, and we have to find a way to talk about them respectfully.

To be clear, we will not ignore disrespect, hyperbole involving inequity and exclusion of people from diverse backgrounds, and general blatant disregard for others. However, I do try to meet mean-spiritedness with kindness and gentleness - no matter how frustrated or disappointed I feel.

At DRC, we manage all of this through conversations. When I invite kids to talk, most, when asked why they like DRC, will say they appreciate feeling safe and welcome. We then discuss the concept of inclusion, why it is imperative that everyone feels secure and comfortable being their authentic selves at DRC, and how they can help achieve that. I make it plain that respect and kindness are non-negotiable here, and I hope they can carry those ideals with them into the broader world.

Outside these individual and group conversations and our day-to-day activities, I model acceptance and curiosity by embracing and highlighting things like Black History (see below), LGBTQ+ and disability rights, and my openness to learn more about all levels of diversity.

Because I have firm belief that lived experiences can help people stand up for the values that should be universal.

It was a weird week with one winter storm after another. We had two snow days that bracketed our regular Wednesday off. Monday and Friday were filled with tons of cooking, art, and outdoor adventures.

PS - We are still looking for X-C ski boots sizes 5-8 adult.

Pop-Ups
The Pop-ups Peeps had fun at the Nicandri Nature Center on Wednesday. They, too, had to cancel on Thursday because of snowy conditions.

Notice that this coming week's meet-ups are shifted a bit again because of scheduling conflicts:
Thursday - 2/13 - 1 -4:15 - Massena Public Library
Friday - 2/14 - 1-4 - Norwood Public Library.

Yay! We remembered to take a few more photos this week. Thanks to Jaclyn for capturing some cool moments. We had plenty of inside adventures - apparently it was mostly too cold for even our hard-core kiddos to play outside. We did have a few moments of sledding in the front yard and a small group went to the SUNY Canton hill for a few quick runs on Fri. We happily welcomed a new member to the crew on Thurs. Welcome JM!

The Pop-ups Peeps had fun at the Nicandri Nature Center on Wednesday and the Massena Library on Thursday. Thanks to both for hosting us. BH captured some photos from the trails on Wed.

This coming week the Pop-ups meeting days will shift a bit because of scheduling conflicts. Thursday they will be at the Massena Library as usual but the Norwood Library will move to Friday.

We totally forgot to take photos - again this week. Here's hoping we will do better next week!

Three DRC kiddos had an adventure at the SLU Volunteer Fair on Thursday. We set up a table in the Student Center and talked to students about volunteering at DRC.

They also navigated the Pub after asking some helpful folks how to order our lunch. Turns out there's an app for that.

Thank you, @sluserves, for organizing this opportunity.

The Center will be closed on Monday in observance of MLK day.

The DRC Pop-Ups Crew had a great time on Wednesday & Thursday at the Norwood and Massena Libraries. They worked on individual projects, invented games, and spent time learning a coding app.

These two resources were designed to help families new to self-directed learning navigate this paradigm shift. 

We were happy to be back from Holiday Break this past week. The snowy weather was responsible for a smallish crew on Tuesday and closing altogether on Thursday. We also forgot to take more photos...

The Pop-ups Peeps had fun at Nicandri Nature Center on Wednesday and the Massena Public Library on Thursday. 

Any homeschool family in the NoCo is welcome to join in the fun every Wednesday & Thursday. Learn more about the Pop-ups here.

We will be back in the building on Monday to celebrate our Birthday after this much-needed Holiday break. 

The Pop-ups will start up again on Wednesday, January 8th, at the Nicandri Nature Center. Pop-ups are open to any homeschool family in the NoCo.

Funding Appeal News

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Annual Funding Appeal. With a substantial sustaining contribution, we have a grand total of $3,295.00. This eases us into the new year with a level of financial comfort we have not felt before.

Thank you also to the folks who support us through the year with monthly contributions.  

You can help DRC keep our promises by supporting us with one-time or monthly donations, or sponsorship.

Our resources page was recently updated. You will find various resources for your homeschool, as well as general info about self-directed learning - including links to videos and books. You will also find links to the Digital DRC Homeschool Guide and YouTube Presentation, there.

Besides writing and posting last week's blog post (and quickly looking up an address), this is the first time I have opened my computer in a week. I haven't even played in Canva to generate social media posts. Yes, this is absolutely unprecedented for me. Even when I took a month-long break this summer, I was still on my laptop in creation mode (writing, graphic designing, etc.).

During this holiday break, I re-rediscovered a different kind of creativity. About this time last year, I was trying to fix a large mural I had started when Kenzie left home. Out of frustration with the lack of the right colors of paint, I treated myself to a new set through (Dick) Blick Art supplies. Then, as soon as the lovely tubes of fresh acrylics arrived, the inspiration - up and left.

The small blue crate of supplies sat in the corner for the whole year until Christmas Eve when I moved the bed out of the way, found a yogurt bucket for water, used the lid for a palette, and began playing with paint again.

I'm happy to report that I quickly fell into the groove I initially summoned as a teenager, sitting on the art room desks with my first canvas in front of me.

That first painting was an 18" x 24" copy of a forest scene that Mrs. Sennett, my art teacher, provided as a guide. I will always recall the feeling of awe and relief when she let me explore the possibilities of that single canvas while sitting cross-legged on top of those desks for months on end - while the other students moved on from one project to another.

Even though my lone talent lies in depicting trees, vines, and grass, she instilled my love for playing with paint (something I often forget but eventually return to) because she just let me be for that entire semester.

It is hard to describe where my mind goes when I paint - except to say it is magical.  Mrs. Sennett helped me discover that extraordinary place that lives in me where time disappears and imagination, ingenuity, and playfulness rule - a place I visit every time I am in creative (problem-solving) mode.

While I am lost in that miraculous space - I come up with my best ideas - most of which are not directly related to the project in front of me but are a collection of seemingly independent thoughts that were swirling, twirling, and taunting me just out of reach, impatiently waiting for those moments of quiet inspiration to coalesce. The trick is to capture them and jump in to make them happen before they disappear into the ether once again.

I had the incredible privilege of seeing Mrs. Sennett again just before the pandemic while she was packing up her home in Potsdam. She had called DRC to let me know she had set aside some art books from her collection for me and wanted me to come and get them. During our prolonged conversation punctuated with hugs, I expressed how much she has inspired my philosophy throughout my 22-year career in alternative education and how grateful I was for her mentorship.

All those years ago, she stood back quietly, gently guiding the process and allowing me to fully be my weird, misfit self - utterly oblivious to the chaos around me - lost in the pure pleasure of mixing pigment, painting trees, and giving my imagination free rein. It is because of her that I felt comfortable, accepted, and seen in a place that normally did the very opposite. With profound gratitude and understanding of that beautiful gift, I consciously offer my DRC kiddos the same.

We each have a different definition of home. For some, it is a specific place; for others, it may be another person or a feeling with no particular location attached. No matter how you explain it, most would say it invokes the sensation of comfort, safety, and warmth - a space and time where you can be your authentic self.

This past week, a teen returned to DRC a year after trying school again (without success). As soon as they walked in and pulled me into a hug, they said, "I remember this smell. It smells like 'old house'." (A valid observation considering 48 Riverside Dr. is over 150 yrs. old.) That, apparently, is a pleasant odor for them.

Most of our memories are indeed connected to smells. For this teen, that first whiff triggered all the other feelings they associated with DRC. They immediately revisited the joy of jumping in, reconnecting, and expressing themselves freely without fear of judgment or ridicule. For them, this is clearly home.

When people ask what we do, our response will always be that we are creating an alternative educational space and community, together, where everyone feels welcome, appreciated, and at home. Once we achieve this, everything else naturally aligns. Because, we understand that learning occurs when individuals feel accepted, connected, and safe.

Welcome home, BL!

This week before winter break went by in a blur - again. Outside, kitchen, and art room adventures were plentiful.

Sadly, we needed to again cancel this past week's Pop-ups. Janine will see everyone on January 8th at the Nicandri Nature Center. Notice the new Pop-ups' schedule; they will now be meeting on Wednesdays and Thursdays each week.

The title for this one was a comment I received from a customer service rep. during a very long phone call to the NYS of Health Market Place on Wednesday morning.

As you can imagine, I wasn't in the brightest of moods after paying out of pocket when I discovered that our health insurance coverage was still messed up during my second attempt within a month to check in for my eye exam. Which then necessitated the call.

If my being merely pleasant through my frustration and sensory overload (and intense dislike for phone calls) was enough to trigger the agent to say, "Thank you for being human," it leads me to wonder what kind of verbal abuse she endures every day. (Not to leave you hanging - she did find & resolve the issue - I hope.)

I am utterly baffled and disgusted by the notion of blundering angrily through life mistreating and disrespecting anyone who has a difference of opinion, works in a low-level public-facing position, or someone who, through no fault of their own, happens to be in the way of getting what you want.

A few months ago, on my trip into town, a big (a$$) truck passed me on a double line going up a hill (those who know my inclination for speed understand that I was going at least 60mph). The first thought that flew into my head was, "Your Stupid is Showing," quickly followed by the second, after driving by a few political lawn signs (you know the ones), "Your Hypocrisy is Showing."

When I got home later that day, I was so obsessed with these two phrases and what they represented that I pulled up my trusty Canva and designed two bumper stickers. I even generated "Under Your Breath Media" as a company name to distribute them. Cause I knew if I spent any amount of time in creation mode, I could come up with dozens more.

Then my common sense and decency kicked in, and I realized, no matter how enticing in the moment, there was no way, as the face of an organization that models and promotes respect and kindness, I could put disparaging negativity out in the world.

After giving myself a good talking to, I created "Psst, Your Brilliance is Showing" and "Hey, Your Kindness is Showing." These two encouraging phrases can be found on youth & adult hoodies and tees in our Printify Shop.

They may not completely satisfy my occasional tendency toward snarky irreverence, but they do inject some much-needed feel-good positivity into our lives.

Shine on!

PS - I would happily pass on the original designs and 'Under Your Breath Media" to anyone interested in running with the idea. Because - honestly, those bumper stickers would come in extremely handy when we encounter the varied levels of idiocy out here.

Unfortunately, after the ice event that necessitated closing on Tuesday, the promised lake-effect snow never appeared in Canton. However, we made the best of it with plenty of indoor adventures - including baking and cooking, fixing a computer that we thought was dead and researching how to reset another one, getting inventive in the art room, and exploring a game that requires a lot of initial creativity.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Pop-ups were cancelled this past week. Janine is looking forward to seeing everyone next week at the Massena & Norwood Libraries.

Looking into the future - The Pop-up schedule is changing a bit - see below.

Please consider an end of year gift to Deep Root Center.  Thank you!

There have been a few instances over the last month when I have sadly been reminded how short a life-time really is and how quickly time passes. I realized this morning that my maternal grandparents were my current age when I graduated from high school and went off to college (the first time), and I thought they were old - then!

In the 1970s, when I was a teen, I enjoyed looking at old photographs of my grandparents from the 1940s and my parents from the 1960s when they were young and newly married. I was fascinated by how old-fashioned and stylishly formal they appeared—the cars, hairstyles, and their clothing all portrayed in black-and-white photography. I wonder if my adult children see photos of me and their father from the 1990s as antiquated as I viewed those older images.

Thirty years is a blip - when considered from the present.

However, conceptualizing time as transient is inconceivable when you are stuck in a difficult or tedious situation, making it seem like an eternity.

Understanding that these two conflicting notions of time are thoroughly dependent upon circumstances and state of mind influences how intensely conscious I am of my personal choices. This - along with my PDA profile (Persistent Drive for Autonomy, otherwise known as Pathological Demand Avoidance) and my desire to spend my duration focused on all the many things that bring me joy - determine most of my decisions.

So many spend their lives in school or work - watching the clock and wishing their days away. I am beyond fortunate to have the leeway to decide that I would not be tied to a job waiting for someone else to tell me what to do. (Not that I would listen, anyway.)

In my role as founder of Deep Root Center, my mission is to spread awareness that self-direction is innate. We are all born with that persistent drive for autonomy - but many are trained out of it by the cultural and societal need for acceptance and "normalcy."  

When I witness kids taking charge of their education and life - actively choosing the activities and projects they, not an authority figure or society, find interesting and worth their time, I get excited for them and their future.  

On the other side, it is heartbreaking to witness young people internally fight the concept of autonomy, even when given the opportunity, and go back to the safety of a coercive, predictable, and culturally acceptable environment.  

Time is precious but deceptive. Honoring every second doesn't slow it down or make distressing moments easier; however, it does make the tough or unconventional choice to be authentically yourself in a sea of uniformity gratifyingly worth it.

We had a week with low numbers because several kids were out sick. Among other things, those that were at the Center happily embraced winter and our first snow.

Janine reports that the Pop-ups Crew had a great time this week. They focused on project collaborations and self-directed independent pursuits. Thank you to the Massena & Norwood Public Libraries for hosting us.

We have all heard about the laws of attraction - like attracts like. The common understanding is often accompanied by the misguided notion that positive thinking will get you everything you desire. Most forget that the equation first requires gratitude, which must go far beyond affirmations; it is appreciating your current situation without fear or anxiety about the future.

This doesn't mean you can't aspire to change or improved conditions for yourself and your family - it simply means that by expressing thanks, you honor the here and now with a profound knowing that within your gratitude (and intentional, hopeful cultivation) comes the next brilliant opportunity.

Several years ago, I met a woman who soon became a mentor and a second mother. (She was the same age as my mother, only one month older.) She was one of those wise elders who exuded calmness, warmth, kindness, and insight. She habitually declared an "attitude of gratitude" to describe her emotional being. Which, for her, was more than a catchphrase. She lived in deep gratitude every day.

I often wondered how she came to this enlightened place of peace, acceptance, and appreciation. Even though, by most standards, her life had not been easy. She didn't have much materially and was forced to retire early with severe back issues after several surgeries. Additionally, after caring for her mother until her death, she had no biological family except an estranged brother.

I believe, in part, it was because she was brilliantly, insatiably curious, with several advanced degrees, including music, education, and library science. Additionally, beyond her formal education, she explored and researched new things as effortlessly as she breathed. Because of her life-long love of learning, she was regularly engaged with new ideas and innovations, which meant she was an early adopter of scientific advancements including computers and technology. She understood that knowledge is power and her concern was always for the greater good.

Sadly, she developed dementia in her 70s. This diagnosis seemed unfairly devastating for someone with a mind as razor sharp as hers - but even then, though frustrated, she retained her core attitude of thankfulness. As it became clear she could not safely live alone, a lifelong friend packed up her belongings, sold her house, and moved her back to her birthplace on Long Island, where she was one of the many souls who passed from COVID during the early days of the pandemic in a nursing home.

I miss her dearly. She innately understood the philosophy of Deep Root Center and was one of our first champions. However, her lived gratitude, generosity, love for life, and unquenchable curiosity will be the gifts I hold most dear; they will forever guide me through mine. 

DRC News

The DRC Canton crew hosted a Thanksgiving feast for their families on Tuesday, with many of our kids contributing to its preparation. Our kitchen adventures are always tasty.

We live in a world that operates on a “one-size-fits-most” formula. If you do not fall within this narrow range of "normal," the problem is considered to be yours. There is no broader understanding of diversity and no room for disability (and it will soon get even worse).

This ultimately puts all the pressure on the individual, which means that everyone is responsible for advocating for themselves to seek out the required resources and accommodations, which is beyond exhausting for most.

Additionally, to compound these ridiculous expectations, an official diagnosis (often expensive and difficult to get because there are not enough practitioners) is required to receive accommodations. Instead of providing them to whoever needs them, based on the individual - they are withheld because some folks may be "cheating" the system.

A few are fortunate; with little help, they can eventually blunder through the thousands of hoops placed in their way to get what they need. Most are not. They live on the cliff’s edge of survival, barely hanging on - with stress often compounding their issues.

As someone who is neuro-spicy, with many learning disabilities that were never identified when I was young and in school, I am one of the lucky ones who was just stubborn and confident (cocky) enough to push my way through to get things done (with no official accommodations - only the "hacks" I devised for myself). Until recently, I never understood how much extra energy I had to expend to get there and why fatigue has always hovered in the background.

After 60 years, I have (mostly) figured out what works best, personally, to access and comprehend information and learn new things. With that understanding, I try to apply those adaptations (and any others that I think will be helpful) to my daily interactions with my DRC kiddos and to everything I provide for families to help them navigate the homeschooling process.

Do I get frustrated when these modifications are not helpful for some people and they still do not understand the information or can't begin to advocate for themselves? Absolutely!

Do I return to the drawing board and try to invent something different that is accessible for everyone, as new information presents itself --- so they can learn how to stand up for themselves? Again, yes, absolutely!

Leaving folks behind simply because they have different brain neurology, learning, or physical disabilities is unconscionable. No one should be struggling because of inaccessibility. If something isn't working for everyone - go back and fix it. Period!

Accessibility is the first step towards equity. 

This post was inspired by the uncomfortable feeling of bumping up against my failure to provide useful, comprehensible consulting information to some new families. Along with phone calls, texts, and emails, the homeschool guide that I wrote last year - simply wasn't enough. I knew that I had to make a video version - but was struggling with how to do that effectively.

Then, this past week, I realized that I could create a presentation and do a voice over. Hopefully, the combination of pictures, written, & spoken words helps more people understand the concept of self-directed homeschooling with or without DRC's help, and how to advocate for their kids.

If not - it will continue to evolve until everyone can access the info.

Find the YouTube video below.

This week passed in a blur - again. We are happy to welcome a new teen to the crew and discover that he is another chef in training. Several kiddos have also discovered that they thoroughly enjoy the game of LIFE.  It seemed to take over the chill space a few days in a row.

The Pop-ups Crew enjoyed time together at the Massena Public Library and the Nicandri Nature Center. Thanks to both for hosting us again this week.

If you know of a homeschool family, please let them know about our Pop-ups. Anyone is welcome to join in the fun.

You can help us continue our work of making self-directed education accessible to anyone who wishes to participate. Read our Fall '24 Funding Appeal here.

As this season of giving begins, and your inbox is likely crammed with appeals from worthy organizations doing vital work (especially now), we humbly ask for your financial support to provide a safe alternative educational environment for kids with nowhere else to turn.

Our student members and their families seek us out for various reasons - it cannot be distilled into one explanation. However, we can state that our members have interests and goals that were not being met by their school. They have been bored, anxious, or disenfranchised; most had tried to make school work for them in many ways and locations, with similar results. School is not for everyone. Many are seeking a hands-on, interactive, and dynamic environment where they can be creative, imaginative, inventive, and curious, explore and make mistakes, get their feet wet, both figuratively and literally, follow their dreams, and spread their wings - with folks who will accept them as they are and support them, unconditionally, to grow into their authentic self​.

The Funding Appeal below highlights just two of the twenty-eight young people who call DRC their educational home this year. Thank you for taking the time to read their stories and support our mission so we can continue our life's work.

Every contribution has the potential to change a child's life. Thank you!

We had another three day week at DRC Canton - with tons of kitchen fun, board & card games, walks to the Grasse River, and Tuesday skating.

The Pop-up crew had fun at the Massena Library on Thursday and the Nicandri Nature Center on Friday. Janine reports that they worked on collaborative projects and played some games and went for a hike on the trails at Nicandri. Thanks again to our generous hosts. We are deeply grateful that we can use there spaces.

Look for these fundraising postcards out in the community. Fell free to grab one or two to share with folks you think would be excited about supporting DRC. Thank you!

There is no easy way to begin this one except to jump right in. Once again, misogyny, xenophobia, white supremacy, homophobia, transphobia, and all their accompanying lies are being uncovered and brought back out from under their primordial, slime-covered rocks without fear of repercussion.

The notion of the resulting blatant contempt and violence against the 'other' may be utterly overwhelming and numbing, leaving you feeling vulnerable and powerless - if (when) you allow your mind to go there.

Now is the precise moment when hopefulness - grounded in positive, thoughtful action is required.

You can stand up and confront hate head-on - by firmly and calmly announcing, "Rudeness, disrespect, brutality, and rhetoric have no place here.  Not on my watch!"  

In the next breath, you can offer loving support, kindness, compassion, understanding, and hugs to the many people who need it, especially our most defenseless and those at risk.

Your skills, talents, creativity, vision, love, and bright light are what we so desperately need to create the world we want to live in. Shine on! 

We had a short week at DRC Canton that included plenty of kitchen, art room, and outdoor adventures - not to mention tons of card games and some wild and crazy creative energy.

The DRC-POP-UPS crew had a great time this week. At the Massena Library on Thursday their time together included discussions about holiday foods, a late Dio de los Muertos project, a really cool collaboration happened on a comic book project (story line and illustrations) and will be ongoing into next week....and a couple of intense rounds of Battleship also took place! Also very proud of one of our kids who made a big step in self-confidence, successfully negotiating a conversation with someone they were nervous about speaking with.

On Friday they played a variation of Life, made honey mug cakes, worked on projects together and individually, and explored the stacks at the Norwood Library.

Thanks to both libraries for hosting us this week.

Pop-ups postcards will be distributed throughout the NoCo in the next couple of weeks. You can also learn more here. 

Please consider supporting Deep Root Center during this season of giving. Your dollars go directly toward our work - shining our lights, using our talents, skills, and vision to prepare our kiddos to make creative change in the world. 

Digby Doo, the DRC cat, came to us as a seven-year-old because he had a reputation for being an attention hog. The boy demands all the love and cuddles all the time. We were looking for a cat to serve as a mascot and act as a natural medium for folks to safely engage with others in our environment. Two years later, we can say, without hesitation, he is a 'purrfect' match

Digby is the DRC ambassador; he greets everyone who enters and soaks up all the attention that is his due. However, he seems to be particular about who he cuddles with. He currently rotates between three kiddos and spends his days on their laps or snuggled beside them.

Sometimes if he is feeling ignored, he quickly reminds them that their sole job is to attend to him by placing himself between their computer, book, or project and weaving himself in and out in front of them.

I am convinced Mr. Doo recognizes the people who need him most on different days. On Friday afternoon, he spent at least 30 minutes contentedly cradled like an infant in our SLU volunteer's arms while she was sitting next to and talking to one of his favorite kiddos. We are convinced he only pretended to sleep because his tail twitched constantly.

Over these past two years, Digby has become an essential character in our daily story lines. He helps to make transitions easier for kids who struggle with them and provides emotional support to those in need. We all narrate his silly antics and comedy relief bits that he injects at seemingly inappropriate moments yet somehow feel perfectly timed.

Everyone needs a Digby Doo in their lives - a being who loves unconditionally, who will sit with you no matter how long you need their support and comfort, embraces their talents, silliness, sass, and lively spirit, and uses them generously for the greater good. This is especially important now as we all navigate the levels of exhaustion and anxiety of the times, with emotions running just below the surface.

Sending out my very best wishes to you all this coming week. It may be a rough ride; however, I am counting on the fact that we will all come out on the other side even better because of the kindness, grace, generosity, and comfort (and occasional playfulness & cheekiness) we extend to ourselves and one another (with the help of our very own Digby Doo kindred spirits). 

Another week flew by! A crew went skating for the first time this season, we had tons of cooking and art adventures - and a Halloween "Party" DRC style included plenty of homemade snacks and a 16th birthday celebration.

The Pop-up participants had their own version of Halloween - when a cowboy, hockey player, and witch met at the Massena Library to play scrabble.

We are looking for more folks to join the Pop-up Crew every week. Learn more here.  Look for this postcard in community spaces over the next few weeks and please share with your network.

This past week was a bit of a blur - time just keeps speeding up...

The Pop-up Crew had a great time at the Massena Library & the Nicandri Nature Center.

A huge thank you to the SLU Women’s Lax team for coming out for Make a Difference Day and spending their Saturday morning cleaning, organizing, raking, and lifting & hauling.

Freedom and responsibility, to some folks, may feel like polar opposites; however, they are inextricably linked when you live in society or are a part of a community.

Yes, you have the freedom to make choices that are best for you, but within your personal decisions, you also have a responsibility to the whole. Bound by that, your personally held beliefs are yours. Your choices can be based on those convictions; however, you cannot force them or the repercussions on anyone else. It is the very definition of society.

At DRC, we trust each student member with tons of freedom. They are each in charge of their education and, with our mentoring support, get to decide what that looks like. Nevertheless, we also hold them accountable for how their decisions may affect others.

In this diverse environment, we are all reminded daily of how our personalities, needs, wants, and behaviors can bump up against others, and are fodder for conversation when they become a point of conflict, uncomfortable, or unsafe for others.

Oftentimes, all it takes is a quick reminder or a few moments in a quiet place to reset and regulate. Other times, when harmful choices are set on repeat, and dysregulation is the default mode, it involves creating firm (non-punitive) boundaries that, at first glance, may seem restrictive within this environment where freedom is innate - but in the long run, are vital pieces we have put in place to model and teach accountability, collaboration, respect, and kindness.

Freedom, responsibility, and diversity of individuals can coexist when given equal importance and nurtured with loving boundaries. And when everyone is celebrated for who they are and what they bring to the group.

It was a wild energy week full of kitchen and art adventures at DRC Canton. Oh, and we discovered via our porch cam that we have a fairly regular "stinky" visitor. Hopefully, he restricts his visits to nighttime and early, early morning.

The DRC Pop-ups met at the Massena and Norwood Libraries this past week.

Thanks again to the Potsdam Food Co-op for inviting us to collaborate at their Open House last weekend. We had a great time watching kids get creative. We look forward to future opportunities to team up.

This past week, it felt like my only luck would be bad luck. Two things hit, one right after another. The first was learning that someone had been viciously, maliciously, and spitefully cruel with potential repercussions. It felt like a gut punch upon discovery.

The second incident was actually physical. I dislocated my shoulder for the sixth time while lying in bed and reaching for my earbuds from the stand. Yes, it's that easy now — just like a fun 3-D puzzle. Unfortunately, my arm and shoulder muscles seize up, making it harder to put back in. Thankfully, the ER doctor was very experienced in the manipulation that does not require sedation.

On Thursday morning, I woke up anticipating the third thing - the feeling of impending doom was visceral. You all know the cardinal rule: "Bad things happen in threes."

Then I gave myself a stern talking-to, asking - "What if I anticipated three good things instead?" After this many years on earth, I know, without a doubt, that whatever energy I send out will be returned in spades.

I know the Universe can distribute the shitty stuff - but She also delivers the excellent and awe-inspiring, too. And to be clear, I also greatly appreciate all of the 'just' OK stuff - as long as it comes with no drama or sensationalism.

With that insight, Thursday and Friday at DRC were exceedingly pleasant. We had a great time connecting with each other, building relationships, sharing our interests, working quietly on independent academics, creating art, playing outside, and cooking delicious food. Some of us even sorted and organized the toys and the overflowing closet in the Seedlings Room. Also, just to update you, my shoulder is fine (when you dislocate it this many times it is pretty much 'business as usual' with very little pain) - the challenge is keeping it in place.

Here's to all the good stuff coming our (your) way - with the understanding that bad shit does happen -  it just doesn't need to be predestined or expected because of some age-old superstition (sorry, Great Grandma). 

Thank you to the Potsdam Food Co-op for inviting DRC to collaborate this weekend (both Saturday and Sunday from 11 - 2) during their annual Open House. We have pumpkins and gourds for kids to decorate, as well as a table full of arts and crafts supplies for kids of all ages to imagine and create to their heart's content. If you missed us Saturday - come on out and meet me and Janine there today.

The Co-op has also graciously offered to help us fundraise during this two-day event.

Photos this week from DRC-Canton & the Pop-ups

The Pop-up Crew had a great time at the Massena Library & the Nicandri Nature Center this past week. They even met a few reptilian friends.

You will find two fresh designs from a new series in the DRC Printify shop. We will be retiring a few designs over the next month including "Digby of DRC" & "I read the DRC Blog." If you have been waiting to get them - better buy them now - they will be gone by the New Year.

Yesterday was a gorgeous autumn day for our Fall Craft Fair and Family Fun Event. Between vendor fees, the raffle featuring items donated by the vendors, and general donations, we raised $438.00, which directly benefits all of our student members. The DRC Staff & Board would like to offer the following thanks.

Thank you to the thirteen vendors who participated; we are grateful for their support and patience. They committed earlier this summer and then had to endure a rescheduling due to the storm in August.

Thanks to Norwood Village for hosting. The village park provided a perfect venue for our event, and thanks to the firemen who brought tables down the stairs from the municipal building.

The Deep Root Center families who helped cart, carry, set up, run our welcome tent, and clean up are appreciated beyond measure. They are amazing and deeply appreciated!

Thanks to the multi-talented Janine, our DRC Pop-up Mentor, for facilitating all the arts and crafts adventures.

Shouts of gratitude to our fabulous musicians, Galaxy Hitchhiker (AKA Mike Corse) and DRC's own Christopher Raymo, who provided a lively backdrop of sound all day long.

Thank you to Nature's Storehouse, The Potsdam Food Co-op, the Massena Public Library, and the Canton Free Library for letting us borrow your canopy tents. Fortunately, we didn't need them to stay dry - but we were grateful to have some shade from the bright sun.

And finally, a huge thank you to all of the community members from all over St. Lawrence County who came out in support of DRC to enjoy the beautiful day with us. We thoroughly appreciated meeting you and watching your children play and create art. The winners of the raffle items will be contacted tomorrow (Monday).

We look forward to planning our next craft fair & family fun event and the opportunity to connect. Stay tuned for the details!