About

A Message From the Founder

Why We’re Making Changes and What Comes Next

I want to take a moment to share where things are heading, why these changes matter, and what I’ve been working toward behind the scenes.

Over time, my focus has continued to shift toward education — not just talking about health and wellness, but creating real, practical ways for people to learn, grow, and apply it in their own lives. The next step is working toward a dedicated indoor educational space where that can happen in real time.

A Living, Learning Space

The goal is to fund and secure an indoor space where I can host free community workshops focused on small-space, year-round growing using the Kratky hydroponic method.

These won’t be lectures. They’ll be hands-on, real-time learning experiences where people can:

• Learn how plants grow

• Understand what nutrients plants contain

• See how those nutrients support health and wellness

• Learn how to use plants in practical ways

Everything will be taught step by step, in a way that’s accessible to individuals, families, and anyone curious about improving their health naturally.

How the Workshops Will Work

Each workshop will start with education about specific plants and their benefits, followed by a theme — for example, Vitamin C support, digestive health, immune support, or topical care.

From there, we’ll:

• Build growing containers using recycled materials

• Prepare nutrient solutions for the Kratky method

• Plant seeds and talk through stages of growth

• Learn how those plants can be used as food, teas, spices, or in balms and rubs

This connects growing, nutrition, and wellness in a way that’s practical and empowering.

Providing Space to Grow — Literally

One of the biggest barriers I see is that many people don’t have space at home to grow plants at all. This is especially true for participants in the Not Just A Food Program.

To remove that barrier, the space will include dedicated shelving for workshop participants. Plants can stay in the space between workshops, so people don’t need to move them back and forth. This allows learning to continue week to week and gives participants the chance to see their plants grow through each stage.

Shared Equipment, Free Access

The space will also include shared equipment that most people simply don’t have access to, including:

• Dehydrators

• Grinders

• Infusion and extraction machines

• Supplies for making balms, salves, lip balm, and other wellness products

Some workshops will invite participants to bring plants from home if they choose, giving them the opportunity to use the equipment and learn proper techniques — always at no cost.

All basic supplies for growing, including nutrient solutions and starter plants, will be provided as part of the program.

Why I’m Doing This

Right now, there are very few options for people — especially those with limited income — to learn these skills without spending a lot of money. Even for the average person, access to real, hands-on wellness education is limited.

Health and wellness aren’t seasonal or optional. They’re a year-round necessity.

By teaching people how to grow in small spaces, how to use plants safely, and how to add nutrition through food, teas, spices, and topical care, I’m working toward long-term, practical solutions — not short-term fixes.

These workshops are designed to be welcoming, supportive, and family-friendly, with no pressure and no barriers to participation.

Supporting the Space & Sustaining the Work

To help fund and sustain this space, there will also be:

• Fundraising products available on-site

• Space to feature community art and crafts

• Simple print materials using QR codes

• Promotion through the Just Community Network and social platforms

Once the space is secured, there will also be opportunities for program sponsorships to help fund ongoing activities.

Supporting Small Businesses to Support the Community

Another piece of sustaining this work is expanding social media consulting and content creation through Just Oshawa.

With Just Oshawa profiles across more than nine social networks — and a focus exclusively on Oshawa content — small businesses can increase their visibility while directly supporting programs that help those most in need in our community.

It keeps resources local and purpose-driven.

Grounded in Love, Compassion, and Independence

Everything I do is rooted in the same values that have guided this work from the beginning:

• FIFE — Food Is For Everyone

• Not Just A Food Program

• Inspiring Times

• Just Oshawa

• LIFE — Love Is For Everyone

I’ve intentionally kept these efforts independent, free from corporate agendas, so they can remain focused on truth, education, dignity, and compassion.

Our private social network helps keep the space safe, focused, and free from unwanted distractions, while still offering both public and members-only educational content.

Looking Ahead

This next step moves us closer to a much larger long-term goal: the LIFE Transitional Housing Program — including a year-round greenhouse-style growing space, skill-building opportunities, and dedicated support for those working toward stable housing.

Creating a formal indoor educational space is a major milestone. It brings real, immediate benefits while keeping the long-term vision moving forward.

This is community-driven work, built with care, intention, and love — for everyone.

LIFE — Love Is For Everyone