Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes

Last week, I mentioned that I am happy to be someone who can make decisions easily because it allows me to remain open, invite new ideas, and be "flexible enough to hone and play with the elements of the previous decision..." mainly because "...in my mind, nothing is ever finished - everything is an organic, shape-shifting progression."

When I wrote that, I had just spent the week ruminating about a plan I had brainstormed and shared with the Board the previous Thursday. It includes some painful changes here at Deep Root Center, necessitated by some rough fiscal realities and fraught with feelings of guilt, failure, and frustration - but has enormous potential for positive outcomes.

Since the beginning of this year, we have known that we can not feasibly financially support a second Center - while keeping our promise to accept any child who wants to join us - with a pay-what-you-can policy, and in the absence of significant grants or committed large scale sponsorships. We have tried in good faith with as much creative fundraising and community support as we can muster for the past four years but always with the same results, a gigantic red deficit - at the end of the year - driven by costs even with an austerity budget. Which ultimately puts all of Deep Root Center at risk.

Therefore, we have decided to close the Massena Center at the end of May and transition to a model we call - DRC Pop-Ups. (The Canton Center will remain open as is.) This framework offers a way for us to navigate our pledge to support as many kids as possible, seeking an alternative that puts each of them in charge of their education.

And now, presenting: DRC Pop-ups - for 24/25

• 2-day-a-week program --- 3-4 hrs/day
• Staffed with a mentor (contracted support person) - Per Diem
• Use a community room in a library, a community center, or a local small business.
  • We would not keep supplies or equipment in the space. Participants would be responsible for their materials and supplies (items could be stored at different participants' homes and brought each time
  • Potentially rotate the pop-up to a different space and town each week during each month. Ex. Massena, Norwood, Brasher or Winthrop, & ?. (After assessing the outcomes, we will consider creating more Pop-Up pods - in the future.)
    • Asking local businesses or organizations to host a DRC Pop-Up - creates an opportunity to network and create built-in support.
• Participants choose when to attend and can use their time at the Pop-Ups to socialize, work on collaborative projects, and get mentoring support. 
  • There would be a fee invoiced for the IHIP & LOI PKG at the beginning of the year and a pay-as-you-go fee - to be paid on the days the child attends. Accounts would have to be up to date before the child could participate.
• Current in-person Massena members can opt to do this new pop-up model or come to Canton for a 4-day-a-week program and pay a per-month fee as they do now. There could be opportunities for carpooling. 

We believe this plan will allow us to effectively increase the number of self-directed home schoolers we can support, both current in-person and current & future consultees. (I have helped over fifty with our consultation program this year.) It offers the services kiddos are already receiving from DRC and will (hopefully) be self-sustaining (with continued fundraising efforts). It also allows young people even more time for other opportunities outside of DRC, such as getting a job, volunteering, focusing on their future goals, creating a social network with other home schoolers, etc. 

Changes usually bring some sadness - but they also carry immense affirmative potential and satisfaction within all their "organic, shape-shifting progressions." That is the piece I am focusing on now. Onward!


*Note - any family I currently consult with is welcome to get in touch to learn more about our Pop-Up opportunities in the Fall. Or if you know of anyone who plans on homeschooling and may need our help - please let them know they can reach out anytime.

DRC News

Besides navigating the above announcement, our kiddos have been busy at both Centers.

We began Spring Break on Friday and will continue through April 8th. We considered opening for the eclipse - but keeping our kiddos and their families safe from a potential influx of visitors and the traffic it will create was our biggest concern. Therefore, we will see all of our kids on April 9th.

Get your exclusively designed Eclipse shirt from DRC's Printify Shop.