Building PARKS Holistic Housing for Women

Sisterhood Agenda is fundraising, y’all!

Yes, you probably know how this goes, especially with new projects. And especially when those projects are innovative and different than what has been done before. Forging new ground means that the funds may not come right away.  Or the way we think it might arrive.  It’s okay. 

We are patient.  Projects like PARKS are a marathon, not a sprint.

We have a vision.  And bringing that vision to life takes courage.  It takes patience.  And it takes resources.  Sisterhood Agenda is bringing it all together.

Affordable housing shortages and housing for women is a large void that Sisterhood Agenda is uniquely qualified to fill.

HUD, the premier Housing and Urban Development agency in the U.S., advocates Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) as a best practice to prevent homelessness among vulnerable populations.  With PARKS, this is what Sisterhood Agenda is committed to providing.

PARKS is an acronym for Positively Affirming Reality & Knowledge in Sisterhood and it represents a nature-filled sanctuary for shelter, support, peace, health and healing.

You may already know that Sisterhood Agenda is all about sisterhood service.  Soon, Sisterhood Agenda will also be all about housing and community development because this is also how we serve.

You don’t usually hear about housing woes.  Often, you don’t think about how important it is to have a proper home until you don’t have one. Many women are waiting for what we are about to deliver.  They need us to be successful.

At this moment, Sisterhood Agenda has several grant applications submitted for consideration.  Of course, we never know what the outcomes will be.  We are hopeful (prayerful, even!) as we continue to look for opportunities to bring our vision of sustainable affordable housing to fruition.

Something this big and important is not easy.  If it were, everyone would do it. We understand.

Belief is having faith in processes that you often unknown and unseen. Did you know that there are angels working in our local Housing and Community Development Departments that have been working tirelessly for several decades, just to ensure that all of us have equal access to the affordable housing that many of us want and need?  They make a real positive difference, even if it’s something that you don’t see every day. 

HOUSING CAN HEAL. And provide hope for the future. Those of us who experience safety, beauty, and the power of green spaces on a daily basis in our homes know this to be true.  It can be true for others, too.  We can all experience it--we can!

There will be challenges.  There may be tears.  There will be new discoveries.  Triumphs and wins…. we will accept them all, good and not so great, large and small.  As long as…

We keep going.   We keep making progress, even if it’s just a little because we know that, like drops in a bucket, a little bit can add up to a lot.

We can do it!  Thank you for reading this and for supporting our cause.

In the Spirit of Sisterhood,

Angela ♥

Sisterhood Agenda has secured two land parcels in Middle River, Maryland in Baltimore County for the PARKS holistic housing development for women and children. Yay!

Sisterhood Agenda understands that unfortunate circumstances and negative life experiences do not define who you are. Sisterhood Agenda supportive services are designed to strengthen individual women and their families, increase economic independence, and prevent homelessness.

Women and children require safe spaces to thrive. In addition to comfortable, quality housing, Sisterhood Agenda’s PARKS housing provides trauma-informed, comprehensive, compassionate, holistic, gender-centered programs and support services.  

Sisterhood Agenda’s PARKS holistic housing development is an example of wellness real estate, the concept that we can create housing that:

1. Provides safety;
2. Provides an increased quality of life;
3. Promotes holistic health and emotional well-being;
4. Is eco-friendly and environmentally harmonious with clean, renewable energy;
5. Is affordable and economically sustainable.

PARKS fundraising is in full swing with several grant applications currently being reviewed.  I am confident that we will have an update for you by the time our next report is sent out. 

As fundraising for PARKS continues, Sisterhood Agenda continues to add new community partners and increase opportunities to scale our holistic housing development projects for women and children in areas where it is needed the most.

All PARKS residents are eligible for clothing, books, backpacks, toys, and educational supplies with Sisterhood Agenda community giveaways. During the most recent Back-to-School Clothing Giveaway on August 6, 2002, Sisterhood Agenda gave away over 500 items of clothing and laptop computers valued at over $32,000.

Our team is ready for the next steps.  We are excited to offer this unique opportunity to serve.  Thank you for your support!

In the Spirit of Sisterhood,
Angela

• PARKS Project Description (PDF)