We are grateful to Ryk Robison for agreeing to lead the Growing Up Ag and Garden volunteer group! Ryk found the lovely apple trees we purchased from Fieldbrook Apples and directed their move, planting and care. We also want to thank . . .again . . .Chris Jowaisas and Humboldt County Office of Education for starting plants for our spring garden this year. We have our raised garden beds cleaned out and ready to go. Last year we were able to donate fresh produce and fruit to McKinleyville Family Resource Center and individuals in the neighborhood. This year we hope to do even more! Reach out if you would like to volunteer in the garden.

Completing all that is required for  building permits, design, and funding represents many hurdles and takes a lot of time and attention to detail.  We can’t wait to build and serve Community.  We have found a perfect partnership with Inclusive Education and Community Partnership (IECP) whose commitment to community aligns so well with ours:

IECP’s Vision and Commitment  

•    Our vision and commitment is that all individuals can succeed in inclusive environments.   

•    We will work collaboratively with families, schools and community agencies to ensure each individual’s success.    

•    We will practice values that model tolerance and appreciation for all individuals.

IECP will host a weekly teen enrichment group onsite at We Are Up at our new Welcome Center. It will be a place for teens with intellectual disabilities to gather, meet friends, develop life and social skills. We couldn’t be happier for this partnership to begin. Reach out to them if you want to join:

We have been so fortunate to have the volunteer support of Connie Lorenzo and Sandy Greenleaf. Connie recently retired as the Director of the Employment and Training Division for the County of Humboldt and Sandy recently retired from a residential and commercial interior design business of 15 years.

Together the duo has traveled to four similar sites to gain insights and inspiration for We Are Up. They have created a wish list of programs and features for us to consider. Our only complaint is that they have done such a fantastic job we are having a hard time choosing!

We are grateful to the County of Humboldt who has just let us know that We Are Up will be awarded $107,000 allocated from state Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program (PLHA) funds! These are funds that must be used for the purpose of multifamily housing in unincorporated areas of the County and will be used by We Are Up to get our newly acquired Central Avenue property closer to shovel ready. Hooven & Company has stepped up to help us make a big move in the right direction.

With Gratitude,

Mary Keehn