Category: Affirm This

Dear Friends,

As I prepare to welcome my first child into the world this month, I’ve been reflecting a lot on what children need to grow & THRIVE. They need a community of supportive adults and peers; they need access to healthy foods, fresh air, and green space; they need a safe place to be kids; they need JOY and AFFIRMATIONS of their JOYOUS EXISTENCE. They need — the programs and opportunities that Acta Non Verba provides, with YOUR help!

One of my favorite memories occurred during Summer Camp ANV 2021. One of the campers ran up to me and said, “Ms. Sydney, Ms. Sydney! I just tried a blueberry for the first time!!” Echoing his excitement, I responded, “Oh my gosh, how exciting! Did you like it?” And he said, “YES! I think I’m going to go get another one!” The look of pure joy on this boy’s face as he tried something new, while in a safe and supportive environment like Camp ANV, will forever stick with me.

Another favorite from my 3+ years at ANV happened during our 2022 Camp ANV Family Camping Trip. At the end of the summer camp season, we headed up to Mt. Diablo State Park with 50 kids and their family members. On our first night, we watched the sunset over the valley, and the kids all waved goodbye to the sun. As the sun disappeared below the horizon, one young camper exclaimed, “I just saw the sun go down, it was so cool!! It was my first time seeing that!”

It’s these little moments of joy that children (and adults!) will remember for the rest of their lives. It’s these moments of connection that spark young leaders to care about nature, about food justice, about each other.

EVERY child deserves access to experiences in nature, healthy foods to nourish their growing bodies, and safe and supportive spaces to just be kids. This is what I wish for my daughter, as she enters the world; this is what I wish for ALL kids. Help ANV provide this access across Oakland:

     🍅 $200 sends one child to a week of After School Program
     👩‍🌾 $750 sends one child to a week of Camp ANV
     🌟 $4,500 sends one child to an entire SUMMER of Camp ANV, where the only limit is IMAGINATION!!

Together, we can affirm and grow the next generation of farmers, environmental stewards, and changemakers.

Thank you for your affirmation of JOY and Discovery in the world!

In Joy and Hope,

 

 

Donate to Acta Non Verba Today!
https://bit.ly/ANVKids2023 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Friends,

As we enter an abundant harvest and come to the end of yet another beautiful growing season we celebrate the strides we’ve taken in building food sovereignty within our community. We thank the land for providing for us, as well as our team, our volunteers, and supporters like you that have affirmed and allow Acta Non Verba’s teams to continue our critical work.

2023 presented yet another year of challenge, opportunity, growth and celebration; in this we were able to welcome another four young farmers and 1.4 acres in West Oakland into the ANV family, partner with three new family owned and operated Farms, and distribute over 30 tons of organically grown produce to East Bay communities. 

Working with Acta Non Verba and our vibrant community has taught me a variety of ways that we can impact change within the larger food system starting right here in Oakland. Coming from Fresno, California where large scale agriculture reins supreme, I never imagined it was in East Oakland that I would come to learn so much about farming and what is needed to build food sovereignty.

To us, food sovereignty looks like the community’s deepening connection to fellow farmers like Maria Morales and Juan Silva of J&M Farm.

Maria began farming organically 15 years ago and has come to steward 15 acres in Gilroy, California with her family. Through building Acta Non Verba’s BeetBox CSA program in relationship with farmers like Maria we are able to ensure there is a reliable means of getting healthy foods to our community.

When farmers faced hardship due to flooding rains earlier this year we were able to lean on our combined networks to ensure her family had the supplies they needed while continuing to ensure their farm had income. ANV and its supporters rallied to provide necessary supplies which we personally delivered to their home. Because of you we were able to be a support to the very people who grow our food, who protect our land, and share their knowledge with the next generation. 

In the 2020 pandemic we learned just how fragile our food system really is; that allowing large scale agriculture which fosters no human connection is not reliable or sustainable. The farm to consumer pipeline fell apart and so many people were without access to essential foods. Our work facilitates a direct connection between local farmers and families in the East Bay. We are building a replicable model of food sovereignty and we need your support. 

We are able to accomplish such things due to the deep affirmation and contributions of supporters like you and we look forward to deepening the impact of our work in the coming year; to do this we need your help to raise 250k. This will allow Acta Non Verba’s Farm and Food teams to continue their work of educating, organizing, and taking action to strengthen our communities resilience through food sovereignty.

 

 

Thank you for your continued support and affirmation of good in the world.

Forever In Community,