If you listen to much christian music, you have probably heard the song “Garden in Manhattan” by Josiah Queen. The song uses symbolism such as being a “light in the dark”, a “river where it's dry”, and a “garden in Manhattan”. The same symbolism that Jesus uses to talk about his followers. People have often applied these same figures of speech to Love City’s position in Portland: a garden or oasis in the desert of Portland. However, I no longer think this is an accurate comparison.
The laws of the Old Testament were meant to help establish principles of God’s Kingdom within the nation of Israel. The laws were meant to imbue every aspect of a community with these principles; politics, legal, economic, ceremonial laws were all meant to establish a nation that honored God, one another, and the God created purpose of humans. There were even laws about farming that served this same purpose. Landowners were only supposed to harvest to the edges of their field, leaving the perimeter and the gleanings to the poor, foreigners, and travelers.
To say the community has come behind us to support the launch of Merriment would be an understatement. They have not only shown up to shop, but they have also shown up to make sure we have plenty of inventory. They have offered encouragement and advice. They have shared stories and ideas with us. They have fully backed us and we are so thankful that we have been able to fill this need in our community.
Getting to watch the thrift store this past week has been amazing. Hearing people's reactions has validated the true need for a thrift store in Portland. We have had a ton of neighbor’s show up to support us, we have seen a lot of neighbors come multiple times, we have had neighbors show up every day of the week, trying to find out when the next time we will be open is. A lot of our neighbors who are regulars at Porkland have come to Merriment to check it out as well.
Yesterday was the first day of Merriment Thrift. The thrift store that is designed to raise money for Mighty Oak Academy while also serving neighbors with a place for nice, affordable clothes and home goods. It was a day that we entered into with excitement. With all the hard work that has been put in over the past few months; it was a beautiful day that allowed us to see the first glimpses of the vision we had for the space.
Today is the last day of another school year. It is amazing how quickly they seem to go by. It has been a a year with a lot of learning for us and a lot of elevation of our students. We are so proud of the increase in their evaluations, seeing a huge spike of kids getting caught up onto grade level. It is what encourages us and lets us know that what we are doing is actually working and helping to create change. We had an action packed week to end the year and I wanted to share a few highlights.
This year, you all have gotten to follow the journey of our 8th grade students. You have gotten to hear about them at their best and worst, the total 180 in behavior from last year, and the incredible maturity they have shown this year. We got to see another one of these beautiful moments last week.
When a neighborhood doesn’t have restaurants, retail stores, and recreational businesses in them, then the expendable income of the community goes to other neighborhoods. Money that should be supporting and building up the neighborhood is escaping due to lack of spending options. Creating jobs and businesses in neighborhoods is essential, especially for neighborhoods like Portland where transportation is an issue.
Throughout the school year we have many fun programs, Christmas skits, wax museums, spring performances. These tend to be a hit with our younger students, but we do not usually get a lot of buy-in from our middle schoolers. In a beautiful, unexpected moment, we got to see a break from the norm this week.
Shelter is a primary human need. It is one of the basic needs listed in Maslow’s hierarchy. It is one of the needs that has always been there and will continue to be there for all humanity. Yet, for many, housing is not secure. Housing can be one sick day, one argument, or one complaint from falling through. When we feel insecure in any of our primary needs being met, tensions will rise. When these tensions rise together in neighborhoods, it does nothing but create problems.
This week, our 3rd-5th graders got to visit Bernheim Forest and explore the beautiful area. It always excites me when we are able to get our students into nature. Nature can be such a powerful place for contemplation and revelation, especially when our students are used to living in a tightly packed neighborhood with limited nature options such as ours. Introducing this to students early on can give them so much appreciation for nature and skills to get the most benefits, spiritually and mentally, from time spent outdoors.
Love City has Four Pillars: Quality Education, Economic Sustainability, Affordable Housing, and Accessible Healthcare. These pillars are the four things that Shawn and Inga identified in healthy neighborhoods. Every program that Love City has must fall into one or more of these categories. Porkland creates economic sustainability for the school as well as provides jobs and offers healthier food options in the neighborhood.
As we’ve been on this journey over the last eight years, to say we have learned quite a few things would be an understatement. For many years our passion and zeal outweighed our wisdom, and we would throw wide open the doors of our hearts and welcome in everything we could, whether it was people or events or activities. We always said yes. Over the years, through many times of learning we have come to appreciate the value and wisdom of the wise “no.” The wise “no” doesn’t love any less, it helps us maintain our capacity to say “yes.”
When we started Mighty Oak Academy a few years ago, we discovered a rhythm that helped us maintain our capacity to say yes. School breaks allowed all of Love City to close down for a short time so that as a community and family we could take time to rest. And this year in particular we added more days to more school breaks to allow a better rhythm of getting rest. We added a full week break in February for instance, allowing staff, students, and families to get a rest before the long stretch of March. And now, this week we have spring break. Mighty Oak Academy and Love City have all been closed this week, there has been no school, there will be no fish fry, all will be closed as our staff, students and families take a much-needed break.
We look forward to seeing everyone next week as Mighty Oak Academy comes back to school, Love City reopens, the Fish Fry is back in full swing, and we continue preparing for the grand opening of Merriment Thrift towards the end of April.
Inga
Mural going in at the new Merriment Thrift
As the weather gets warmer we are excitedly planning learning activities outside the classroom! Our educators have lined up some amazing opportunities but we need your help to make it happen! Our goal is to visit Payton Glass Creative Center and the Louisville Zoo in the next couple of months before school lets out for the summer. If you are interested in helping support our school's field trips, please click the link below to contribute to the field trip fund!
The Fish Fry is closed today on Friday April 5. We look forward to seeing everyone on Friday April 12!
If you are interested in volunteering or to find out more information about supplies needed please email: info@lovecityinc.org or call (502) 272-078.
Since starting Mighty Oak, we have been able to see a lot of first days. Our first official day in 2021, our first school field trip in 2022, our first athletic games. Each one is a special day for us as we get to witness the community come together in celebration as we enjoy the moment together. The emotions that we feel as we get to see our dreams realized before our very eyes. Yesterday, we got to experience another first: the first annual Mighty Oak Academy Science Fair.
As we enter the final quarter of the 2023-2024 school year, Shawn has begun to give more responsibility to the eighth grade class. This past week, they helped in creating some of their scheduling and guiding the direction of their class project. It was amazing to witness their growth since the beginning of the year and to see how many of their choices were community minded.
You would be forgiven if you mistook Ms. Carolyn for royalty. She always walks with purpose, every movement elegant, an air of dignity and gracefulness follows like a shadow. At Love City, we have known Ms. Carolyn for many years, but recently, we have been blessed that we get to spend more time with her. We now get to receive her wisdom and Spiritual gifts that she has blessed Portland with her whole life.
This Love Letter is a thank you for everyone who supported us on our 8th graders trip to DC. Whether you helped us reach our fundraising goal, bought baked goods from our 8th graders, or donated at the Fish Fry, thank you. If you prayed for our journey and safe travels, thank you. It was beautiful to be able to watch the wonder and amazement in the faces of the kids as they experienced the history and beauty of the city.
