Woodwynn Farms is our 193 acre organic farm for our therapeutic
community for the homeless, offering an opportunity to change
peoples’ lives with educational and work programmes based on
responsibility, dignity, independence and the principles of
peer-to-peer help.
The affection, understanding and support that every person receives
are daily examples of the kind of selflessness that cannot be
considered a simple exchange because it can only come straight
from the heart.
There is no single, failsafe recipe that can save everyone, only a
fundamental rule – Respect and Unconditional Love.
The road that people have to travel can be long and complex, but the
aim is to help them become aware of their true potential.
Outcasts that have been overcome by life’s difficulties are encouraged
and supported through trust and dialogue.
All those who enter Woodwynn will find a home, health and legal assistance
and the chance to study and receive vocational training.
Work skills, Community, Self-Respect and a deep understanding of
Sustainability are fundamental to reintegration into society.
Therapeutic communities, both locally and internationally, such as
San Patrignano,Italyhave proven lasting success rates of over 70%.
Founder and Executive Director Richard LeBlanc saw a 76% success
rate inVictoriawith his YEP program which helped 385 street youth
transform their lives
Day 72: Journey to the Edges 2012
Posted on April 25, 2012 by richard
Dilemma: betwixt and between
Since the Agricultural Land Commission’s recent decision to deny
our proposal for our Therapeutic Community for the formerly homeless
on our farm, I have been busy planning our next steps.
We intend to move forward in building our program, and bringing
people to this land. We intend to continue to build on our food crops,
haying and onsite market.
We intend to continue to build and showcase our support.
Simultaneously, it is invaluable to continue to build our connection
to homelessness issues, thru the Journey to the Edges campaign.
The increased awareness continues to be vital to bringing effective
solutions to our community.
Problem: How can I be in two places at the same time?
I am inviting your feedback.
Richard
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Day 64 Journey to the Edges 2012
Posted on April 21, 2012 by richard
WOODWYNN FARMS DENIED BY AGRICULTURAL
LAND COMMISSION
VICTORIA,BC-The Creating Homefulness Society, operators of th
e Woodwynn Farms Therapeutic Community for the homeless,
announce that the BC Agricultural Land Commission has refused
their application to operate the Therapeutic Community program
at this property.
Founder and Executive director Richard Leblanc is “extremely
disappointed, yet undaunted by this latest development.
On behalf of those we serve, and the massive efforts of our
supporters, we are disappointed”
“We were very disappointed to receive the decision not to
approve our application for non farm use on 1% of our agriculture
land to enable us to provide housing and training for persons
currently homeless.
The remaining 99% of the agricultural land will be developed to
meet the optimum agricultural potential, of this farm.
We have demonstrated our sincerity, by bringing food crops to this
land for the first time in over 150 years.
“We are disappointed, as this use is much less than is allowed
for many other agricultural operations in theSaanichPeninsulathat
are involved in agri-tourism.
Many of these farming operations have relegated much larger portions
of their agriculture land to non agriculture use.
“We are disappointed, as we did show the ALC that our proposal
would ensure that Woodwynn Farms will meet its agricultural potential
under our stewardship, and would not end up as country estates,
as is the case for many ALC properties in theSaanichPeninsula.
“We understand that the ALC is concerned that if our proposed
operation is not successful that there may be pressure to continue
the housing for other purposes and we regret that the Commissioners
disregarded our covenants, to enter into a legal binding agreement
to remove all facilities. “We are disappointed that the ALC denied our application for farm
dorm housing for the formerly homeless on 2 acres, while recently
approving 23.4 acres forTrinityWesternUniversity classroom space,
student and faculty housing, commercial and recreational
usage, on ALR land.
“We also are disappointed in the denial of the vital importance
of having the residents housed on the farm, for the Woodwynn
Therapeutic project to be successful.
Our research has clearly shown and is supported by similar existing
operations that the persons involved in this therapeutic program must
be housed on the land.
The recent Journey to the Edges 2012 campaign has served to
strengthen the resolve of the team at Woodwynn Farms.
Our team is meeting soon and will be announcing our next steps
shortly thereafter.
Meanwhile, farming and therapeutic operations continue, with
‘business as usual’.
Our farm market opens for the season soon and we continue to assist
formerly homeless at our farm.
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