Place Corps Friday Digest: Information

It's Friday!

The sun, the rain, and the flowers have all graced us with their presence as we close this first week of self-quarantine. We are grateful for the Place Corps community and their willingness to adapt as the program enacted its radical care protocol in response to the current pandemic. We are at a time in which radical changes need to be made to care for ourselves, our communities, and the earth and we are so thankful to have had the time so far to cultivate tools and skills we can lean on at this moment.

This past week, we settled into the rhythm of virtual programming. Two residents made the decision to leave campus for this time of self-isolation and the remaining residents agreed to remain in residence. It was decided the week-in review would be increased to two weekly check ins. Educators have adapted their curriculum to distance learning and practicums have been modified to reflect programmatic shifts. This Friday, the Place Corps community came together for a Roundtable to discuss reading selected by Lila and Jordan.

Our word for the week is information. How do we assign meaning to data and how do we respond? Information has been defined as a difference that makes a difference, and this difference is often transformed in relationships. We organize around information; what information do you allow in, what boundaries do we hold to remain grounded? How do we build our capacity to respond with resilience, trust, and flexibility when there is so much information quickly moving and changing around us? 

Much has been in flux and it is easy to become overwhelmed, but one thing is certain: we're all in this together. This period of solitude, stillness, and uncertainty is also a public act of service and love in action. We are adapting in order to heal and allow what is now to move us forward together. Co-Founder Martin Ping shared words earlier this week that feel fitting to close this letter: 

"For now, though, there are the things we know for sure here at Hawthorne Valley: the farmers are planning and planting seeds in the greenhouses for the coming growing season; the cows are being milked twice a day, every day; in the forests, the Silver Maples are blossoming offering the honey bees some of their first nourishment as the days begin to lengthen and warm. If we look, we can find reassurances that life hums along. And in that we can find peace."