When Your Service Does More Harm Than Good...

Hello, Everyone!

It’s been awhile since we last wrote, but we're am sure that you haven’t missed much; since we are constantly trying our best to keep you all up-to-date about what’s been happening at SEEED on our social media.

As you were already made aware, SEEED celebrated its sixth birthday, and the turnout was tremendous. We reached ¼ of our targeted goal, but since the event, we have been steadily making progress towards hitting that mark. For this post, we'll talk more about the minor, but impactful strides that we are making in regards to our renovation efforts. We'll also talk about bit about our Job Readiness Program, which at the moment seems to be a huge drag.

In previous posts, we have made some inclining to the fact that we are trying to install our computer lab. Since we last wrote, we had the desks installed and we had some gorgeous bar stools donated to add to the décor of our lab. At the turn of the new year, SEEED had been working with the University of Tennessee for computer donation. Last Thursday, we received a total of eight desktop computers free of charge. Now, we just need to work with our friends over at Neighborhood Nerds to get the software for each computer updated, and we should be good to go. With the desktops and a printer added, the lab looks sophisticated. See for yourself:

In addition to fully installing our computer lab, we have been working with Tennessee College of Applied Technology to “modernize” our heating and air systems. This is also tied into our building renovation efforts. And so, we are hoping that by the time we get closer to summer, we’ll have our HVAC system fixed and functioning like it should. Right now, we were told that the total cost will be $4,373.00, which itself could call for another fundraising event.

As for the organizational atmosphere, SEEED has been putting in a lot of effort into writing grants. SEEED’s partnership with the Morningside Housing Association is to serve as a Green Hub for all of East Knoxville. This hub is for residents to gain access to resources that focus on energy efficiency, sustainability and other initiatives that promote environmental literacy among our communities. Hence, we've written a grant to Bank of America for assistance in funding this project. Although we did not receive to total amount requested, we are grateful for the Foundation’s generosity in supporting SEEED’s efforts. We are also looking at other funding opportunities that will support to Morningside Revitalization Project that SEEED is in the process of spearheading. This project is also tied into our current interest—both the interior and the exterior renovation of the facility.

In regards to programming, we have run into yet another stumbling block. We've spent the last three months planning and coming up with recruitment efforts that will ensure the success of the program. Yet, after hours of recruiting in surrounding communities, and many phone calls, we had a total of 8 individuals showing interest in our program. However, when the first day came around, we had only two showed up. It’s been really stressful to see that all that work resulted in naught.

As the VISTA in charge of programming, it’s like I have spent this entire year trying to build something that will eventually be sustained, but on not one, but three tries, I seemed to have failed miserably. Now, with all of this, I am starting to question why I am even here in the first place. It really sucks when you are constantly being reminded about the successes that the program has had, but since I have been here, that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. When I do something, I expect result because I am a results-driven individual. But that hasn't been happening for some time now. Don’t get me wrong, I do love being here. I do enjoy my job. I think that this experience is teaching me a lot about myself.

As VISTAs, we’re always being reminded that the experience is worthwhile, but is it really worth anything when I am probably doing more harm than good to the organization?

On the bright side, I am trying to find ways to remedy any potential damages that I may have caused the organization. I am currently looking into other ways that SEEED could potentially grow: through established summer opportunities for children and young adults. I am also looking into ways that we can turn our edible garden into an educational tool for community residents. So, I hope that by the completion of my year of service that I’ll have at least given the organization another reason to prosper.

Side note: it’s getting awfully close to May 22^nd! While I am really excited that I am less than two months away from successfully completing my year of service, I know that there’s still a lot left to be done. But in due time, it’ll all come together.

That’s all for now, y’all! For those of us celebrating the Easter Festivities, I wish for a very HAPPY Easter weekend. And for those of us who aren't celebrating, I wish for you a very relaxing and fun weekend.

Until next time,

+Seeed Knox 

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING (OR WHATEVER IT IS THAT YOU ARE CELEBRATING TODAY)!!

Hello, Seeedville Family, 

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING (for those of us who are experiencing spring around this time of the year)!!!!!!

This will be another short, but sweet post; as there isn't much to report on because we've been laying low this past week. 

Since our last post, not much has happened at Seeedville. As we mentioned previously, SEEED celebrated its 6th birthday and now that the celebration is over, it's time to move on to other significant business--our Job Readiness Training Program. Starting on Monday, March 23rd, we will be having our spring training session. So far, we have five young adults committed. But we're still hoping to recruit a few more into the program. Everything is already in place, and so we should be off to a great start. We've spent this past week recruiting in the surrounding communities. We're looking forward to hitting some of the other local hot spots where young people hang out.  

Below are a few photos of us recruiting in communities surrounding the SEEED office. 

The individual in this photo is yours truly, Kenisha W. I am also one of the two AmeriCorps VISTAs working at Seeedville. I am currently serving as the Program Coordinator for our Job Readiness Program. I have been living in Knoxville for less than a year. I moved here for my year of service in May and will be leaving once my term ends. I am truly liking the experience here. There is a lot to learn about the people and the culture, as well as how my passion for service fits into the mission of SEEED. An interesting fun fact: I am also the author of Seeedville's weekly blog posts. I'd personally like to say a HUGE THANK-YOU to everyone who has been reading our posts. We have readers from Indonesia, France, Germany, and of course, the United States. It's really an honor to know that our blog is reaching a wider audience. 

In this photo is our executive director, Stanley Johnson, and a volunteer, who is also the mother of one of our program graduates. It is really great to see how people are invested in SEEED and the work that we do. 

On a rather slightly different note, our fundraiser for windows is coming along well. We've reached over a quarter of our goal. So, if you haven't yet donated or have some extra change in your wallet, I'd recommend that you go ahead and donate on our gofundme page: www.GoFundMe.com/seeedopenhouse.

That is all for this week, y'all. We don't necessarily have any upcoming events planned at this moment; except for the program. But we will definitely make sure to update you on whatever events we plan in the near future. 

Once again, the staff here at Seeedville will like to extend its sincere gratitude to all of you for being so dedicated and staying informed with the work that we are doing in our communities. It is because of our supporters like you, that we are able to continue to be successful, even after 6 years!

We'd like to wish for you all a relaxing and fun-filled first day of spring (or whatever it is that you are celebrating today). 

As always, we can always use more LIKES on our Facebook Page, so please take a moment to check us out: facebook.com/seeedknox. We'd sincerely appreciate you liking our page. 

In the spirit of spring cleaning, we'd like to challenge you to do more than just spring clean your home(s), but to reflect on yourself as an individual and see what aspects of your life needs "spring cleaning". Today we leave you with this quote: "If your life is a mess clean it up. THROW AWAY your excuses, SWEEP the negative people out of your life, FIX the problems that you CAN fix and PICK up the pieces of your life one at a time." ~Sonya Parker

Until next time, 

+Seeed Knox 

BUSINESS AS USUAL... AND SOME NEW

Hi Guys!

Since our previous post,not much has happened at SEEED due to weather conditions. However, we’d like to provide a refresher just to make sure we are all up to speed and then focus on what we have been up to since the last time we wrote.

Here at SEEED, a lot of interior changes have taken place. We have renovated the inside of the building, redid our bulletin boards, painted the inside walls to a brand new, and more people-friendly color(s), as well as installed our computer lab. The “junk” from our soon-to-be classroom is dissolving at a slow, but stead rate. We can honestly say that since the renovations, SEEED’s stability within the Morningside Community Center has become noticeable. For more in-depth details about our renovations, please feel free to refer to the previous posts.

Now for more new and enticing matters, a few board members have move on. They have successfully and selflessly completed their term of service to SEEED. We are sincerely grateful to have had them at our service. The ideas, structure and passion that they’ve brought with them has given the organization a push in right direction. It is safe to say that we are successful due to their willing contributions to the organization.

As far as programming goes, we are currently getting geared up for the launch of our spring Job Readiness Program. Like we have stated in our previous post, the program has been revised, some classes have been eliminated, others have been added, and so this spring session will be the first time that we are trying out our new and (hopefully) improved program. The goal—equipping young adults with job-ready skills—has not changed, but the ways in which the program is delivered has been. Because of the revisions that have been implemented, we have gone ahead and updated our brochures, re-evaluated recruitment strategies, as well as revised the overall message the organization is trying to send.

In previous posts, we have also discussed the organization's efforts to create new partnerships that will potentially serve as employers for your graduates. Since a lot of SEEED’s efforts have been spent renovating and revising the Job Readiness Program curriculum, our efforts for partnership creation has been rather slow.

And as we have also mentioned, because we are implementing a new curriculum into the program, we are creating avenues for our young adults to become responsible individuals; meaning that they will become active stakeholders in their job searching processes.

As for things on a more personal note, there’s TOO much snow in Knoxville. We know it shouldn't make it a big deal, but it is! It is a very big deal!! Recruitment has been a bit slow due to the weather, but hopefully things will pick up once the weather permits. Our goal is to recruit and train 15-20 young adults this spring. We are relying on you, our local supporters, would take it upon yourselves to send any potential candidates our way.

Just a little insider, SEEED is celebrating its 6th BIRTHDAYYYY on March 12th!! It is also a fundraiser for purchasing new windows. Our goal is to raise $2,500.00 for this event. We hope to have people come out and support us, but if you can’t make it, you can definitely donate right from the coziness of your couch through our Go Fund Me: www.gofundme.com/seeedopenhouse. We are relying on you all to assist us in obtaining this goal. It’d mean a lot to us.

That’s everything SEEED-related that is worthy of sharing, folks. We hope you all have a great weekend! Hope you enjoy the read.

Until next time,

Job Readiness Program Updates

Hello Seeedlings!

A very happy Friday to you all! This week's updates are relatively shorts; as there aren't much that had happened this past week. 

This past week was spent in preparation for the job readiness program, which is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, March 10 at 1:30PM. A lot of time has been spent on trying to create a more up-to-date brochure that included all the necessary changes that were made to the program and the organization as a whole. 

Furthermore, the month of February is dedicated to program recruitment, as well as getting the facility in preparation for our first day of classes. 

Below is are the inside/outside of the tri-fold brochure and a copy of our recruitment flyer. 

Seeedville would greatly appreciate the efforts of our Knoxville locals who might be able to assist us in our recruitment efforts. Should you know anyone who's currently unemployed or underemployed, someone whom you think could benefit from the services that SEEED offers, then please feel free to pass our information along. 

Upcoming Events: 

February 10: Computer Lab Installation courtesy of First Baptist Concord

February 19 (6:30-8:00): SEEED's Open House

Welcome to SeeedVille

Happy Friday Everyone!!

With all the changes that are currently happening with the organization, we have decided that it is about time that we start keeping a weekly blog to update our followers about all the many blessings that SEEED receives. 

Since this is our first blog post, we'd like to kick things off by welcoming each and everyone of you to SEEEDVille! Yes, you got that right, SEEEDVille!! We are excited to share our journey with you for the year ahead, and we sincerely hope that you will continue to support us or start supporting our cause for this year. SEEEDVille is in reference to the organization's facility-it includes the day-to-day of SEEED. So, get comfortable with this name because we will refer to the organization as such from now on. 

Again, because this is the initial post, we'll try to keep it as short as possible and do our best to get you all up to speed. Socially Equal Energy Efficient Development (SEEED) is a nonprofit organization here in Knoxville, TN. We are currently located in the Morningside Community Center, also known as Turnkey 3. SEEED's mission is to create opportunities for pathways our of poverty for Knoxville's young adults through job readiness training, while equipping communities with environmental literacy skills. 

The job readiness program is for young adults between the ages of 16-28 years old. We mostly work with high school dropouts, but strive to ensure that everyone, as long as they meet to specific age requirement, is given a chance to become job ready. This nine weeks program focuses on resume-writing, interviewing techniques, budgeting application completion, time management, and various other skills that are crucial to succeeding in any job. 

SEEED's environmental awareness community workshops are designed to properly inform low- to middle-income community residents about energy saving opportunities that will potentially lower their utility costs, equip residents with community organizing skills that will enable them to become more engaged citizens, and provide a space for social capital to prosper. 

SEEED Cores Values:

• Empowerment

• Sustainability 

• Community 

• Pathways to Development 

This is how we define #pathwayoutofpoverty:

Thank you to all of you who have been a support system to SEEED, and we hope you'll continue to do so. And to our potentially newest supports, we want to welcome you to SEEEDVille, where it's always green on this side!

We leave you with this quote: 

"The fate of the living planet is the most important issue facing mankind." - Gaylord Nelson

Until Next Time...

SEEEDVille Staff