Our ecosystems are in a state of emergency; this is an undeniable state for alarm, and yet joy persists. We believe joy is a key to the future we dream of and are co-creating. We must build joy into our movements forward. 

In order to shift culture, to gather community, to steward land, to create sustainable livelihoods, joy needs to be uplifted. Joy is nourishment to a sustainable movement. It revitalizes us so that we may continue good work.

At Place Corps, we root ourselves in Movements of Joy. Movements of Joy means many things. It’s a term that can be tossed between philosophy, spirituality, ecology, design, activism, somatics and more.

Movements of Joy refers to the lens and the practice of always returning to joy. This can be seen in celebrating rituals that cultivate a sense of gratitude and communion, even the small daily rituals of delicious morning coffee.

Movements of Joy exist in whole systems design that finds great beauty in the truth of reciprocal relationships and a thriving environment, like the Three Sisters supporting each other's growth.

Movements of Joy exist on the micro scale with the embodied movement of one that soothes the nervous system to the macro in festivities of community and a sense of belonging.