Faith and Curiosity, and Really Good Food.

It's two nights before our next Supper Club, and it would be great to say that the reservations are full, seats are filled to capacity at 60 guests, and it's smooth sailing.  But that is not the truth. The truth is, we are still a struggling start-up, woefully under funded and awaiting investors for our restaurant.  Reservations are not filled to capacity and worry plagues me at times as to how we will pay our purveyors, or staff and the endless stream of government and overhead expenses.  Still we carry on.  How is it that we can offer services to 20
 teens: yoga, sustainable agriculture, kitchen classes, product development and sustainable professional development - without a dime, a van or any assistance at all from the educational powers that be.  All of this takes a tremendous amount of time, energy and money.  Primarily, it has been faith in our kids, our product, our customers, our staff, our teachers and a handful of generous sponsors, that has kept us moving forward. Secondly, curiosity, in place of stress, as to how the next phase will unfold.   Of course we have some strategies in place, and PEOPLE working on things... but there nev seems to be enough time, staff or resource. Amazingly, however, the next step in Lightfoot's evolution is continually revealed and provided for. 

Why/how do I think this is possible.  Sometimes, when caught up in managing the day to day details, it's hard to see.  But when I stop in the middle of a busy week and have a look at the people, the dedication, the tenacity of our students to be something different than stereotypes dictate - I understand.  If you could follow me around all week, to five classes, different sites, the Supper Clubs, you'd see it too.  There is something much bigger going on here than what most people see at face value.  We are not just a vocational training program.  We are not just a culinary program.  We are change agents - each an every one of us involved.  We believe there is a better way for humans to work, learn, eat, balance, thrive; and we are willing to invest a lot of sweat and tears to make it to the next level.  Our students and our staff show up for themselves every day, and the hope that a generation of informed, thriving individuals can make some sort of difference in bringing balance to this world. It seems lofty I know, but that is what we are up to.  We are committed to sourcing locally and supporting small, organic farms.  We are committed to a values-driven mission statement that values the environment and people as much as profit. We are committed to seeing each student as a viable, thriving individual.  We are committed to paying livable wages and we are committed to whole-systems education.  Our students, in very short order, are committed to each other, the team and most importantly themselves.  

I won't walk you through the stories of each student, but suffice it to say they each face unique and steep challenges, that we as adults would have a hard time rising above.  And there is no silver bullet here, no piece of paper that says they are complete, no formula for success, no quick way to finish.  There is hard work, playfulness, and day by day commitment to follow a truth that says, I am worthy of being all that I came here to be - regardless of where I come from, what I've done so far, or what I am labeled as.  This translates into two hour yoga classes where sometimes all the student can do is stand and hold on to the wall.  Running from Delta class to catch busses to Lightfoot classes, only to be told by the bus driver the bus is full - waiting for another bus or walking or skateboarding up to five miles to make it to Lightoot.  Making it through shifts in the face of major personal tragedies and hardships. Attending five classes a week but having to wait to work Supper Clubs because there are not enough spots on the staff to take all the students.  Yet they keep showing up. 

Hopefully all of this will work, and we will one day have our own restaurant with plenty of shifts for a full Academy of 60 students as well as a core of full time professionals.  Hopefully one day we will have dialed in the business and educational protocol and are able to upscale nationally to offer our program to some of the 14 million or so at-risk teens in the nation. Hopefully, one day our nation will answer with integrity and thoughtfulness and resource - the question, 'Why do we educate kids".  Hopefully YOU will come join us for dinner, a good time and good food, and and tell your friends about Lightfoot so we can broaden our base of support.  Hopefully.  In the meantime I am thankful for everysingle person who has helped Lightfoot along the way. I maintain faith and curiosity as to how it will all unfold, and  I ask you to join us, and be part of the solution. 

 With Deep Appreciation,

Carmen

       

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