Dear Friends,
Recently, I had a conversation with a friend about wisdom, intelligence, and the value of “lived experience.” I started reflecting on what this society prioritizes—how we pay lip service to saving children, feeding children, and believing children are the future, yet so often, adults are the very ones creating barriers to those ideals.
At Acta Non Verba (ANV), we live our mission. We create spaces where young people know their worth from a young age. My 6th grade teacher, Mrs. J., the only Black teacher in Albany when I arrived in middle school. Her task was monumental: she spoke five “languages” fluently—engaging with my parents, the other parents, school administrators, my peers, and most importantly, me. She was my first example of what it means to meet people where they are while inspiring them to go further.
At ANV, we embrace this same polyglot spirit. We look beyond the moment, beyond the immediate challenges, and are inspired to dream of the new worlds we want to create. We imagine a Future Paradise—a world where every child has access to a safe, healthy, and educational childhood; where the health, education, and existence of each person is inherently valued.
2024 has been a deeply challenging year. From the theft of our teen program’s coffee cart to the forced downsizing of our dynamic team due to governmental shortcomings, we’ve faced adversity head-on. I want to assure you: ANV will continue to do this work.
We do this because we believe, as Frederick Douglass said, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” We adapt, overcome, and push boundaries for the joy, comfort, and community farming provides.
We tap into the same spirit of excellence that has driven us for over a decade. ANV will continue to challenge oppressive systems and create opportunities for Oakland’s youth to thrive. For us, it has never been about the quantity of farms we manage or calculating the ROI on childhood. Instead, our mission has always been to utilize the joy, comfort, and healing power of farming to cultivate the next generation of activists, advocates, and leaders.
Visionary heroes just like you have heard our rallying cry and already donated close to $18,000 to help us build a Future Paradise for Oakland’s youth. Together, we can go even further. We can continue to elevate the lives of children and families, providing them with the tools and opportunities they need to flourish—because it IS hard out here and because the future is counting on what we as a community prioritize today.
I think of former Camp ANV counselor and Youth Board Member Brian Zamora-Diaz, who once held an impromptu “shoe-tying” workshop for campers. Brian understood what we live by at ANV: we must meet YOUNG people where they are and inspire them to go further.
We’re calling on you as a hero to join us in this work. We’ve set an ambitious goal: to raise $250,000 by December 31 to ensure ANV continues to serve Oakland’s youth and their families. These funds will help us grow our programs, support our team, and build the Future Paradise our community deserves.
With so much potential in the world right now, the opportunity to show our collective priorities have never been greater. Together, we can show—through our deeds, not just our words—that we are ready to build a better tomorrow.
Your generous contribution will help us:
- Provide sliding-scale access to programs like Camp ANV (Audio Testimonial from camp parent, J. Vigo) through the Time to Thrive Initiative, empowering families to invest their time and gain equitable access to ANV’s services.
- Expand the rebranded Backyard Gardens Program (BYG) to Sankofa Seedlings and Soil, supplying gardeners with the tools to foster food sovereignty and resilience while creating a sustainable revenue stream for ANV.
- Re-Launch Résoluté Café & Commercial Kitchen, as a brick-and-mortar hub for job training, culinary education, and community connection.
Are you ready to be a hero? Join us in building a better tomorrow. Donate today to support ANV’s mission. Let’s show through our deeds—not just words—what we believe in, who we serve, and what we’re capable of achieving together.
With boundless gratitude and hope,
Kelly D. Carlisle
Founder & Executive DirectorActa Non Verba: Youth Urban Farm Project
P.S. Make your impact today and help us reach our goal of $250,000 by December 31. Every contribution moves us closer to a Future Paradise! Donate now.
