The basic ideology behind Freedom Village is to help provide suitable housing for those who have none.
Poverty is a manifestation of Slavery in it’s cruelest form.
Freedom Village is dedicated to fighting against poverty. The concept is to establish a community that incorporates both private homes and shared common facilities. One acre home sites will be leased, rented, or sold to members of the community for $1. The idea is to help those who have little or nothing find a home and community where they can feel productive, safe, and loved. This is not going to be some desert property, but arable farmland and woodlands. Idea community members would be newlyweds, retirees, single parents, homeless, hopeless, anyone who wants a home to call their own. There will be about 20 home sites all centered around a common community area, similar to a town square. This Town Square will have a gazebo, sitting area, and a play area and will consist of walking and bike paths. The Town Square is a place to sit and enjoy a book, walk your dog, or let your children play in safety.
In addition to the individual dwellings, there will also be a community building and a dorm-like housing unit. The community building will house a meeting hall, library, loan closet, storage area and kitchen. The purpose of the meeting hall is for public use by members of the community e.g. religious services, birthday parties, community meetings. The dorm building is to be used by visitors and as temporary housing by members while their own houses are under construction.
Outside income is not a requirement at Freedom Village. Any money or outside income you bring with you, belongs to you. If you have no source of income, you are welcome to participate in community projects and share in any income that\\\'s generated. These projects include wool production/weaving, selling of goods and produce at a farmer\\\'s markets. We are currently considering the viability of establishing a small country store in area of our community. Such a store would be a gladly welcomed by our rural neighbors. I\\\'d personally like to see a county store similar to those of 100 years ago, rather than just another convenience store. Those are plans for the future maybe in a couple of years. Right now we need the people in our community to help make this happen.
"Poverty is the cruelest form of slavery."
-- myself |
user comments [add comment]
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| setting |
legal structure: no legal structure
surroundings: farmland
land ownership: self-owned (Each individual or family in the community will own their 1 acre homesite and have access to shared common areas)
building ownership: self-owned (Each individual or family in the community will own their own home)
neighbors: neighbors are friendly
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| population |
total number of people: 11
ideal or planned maximum number of people: 25 (Current plans incorporate 20 homes for both famileis and individuals)
children (0-10): 4
teenagers (11-19): 2
adults (20-60): 5
females: 8
males: 3
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| housing |
number of buildings: 2
number of housing units: 2
number of bedrooms: 4
house sharing: seperate building for each unit or family (each family or individual will have their own home, unless they prefer to stay in the dorm buildng)
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| sharing |
income sharing: none - all money is private (Your money is your money, but there will be community projects that generate income. Money from these projects will be shared among the community)
communal meals: occasional communal meals (The decision to have communal meals, or not, is for the members to decide, This is not a controlled environment we are just all neighbors working together)
communal food: bulk food is communal (This again is something for the members to decide. Not a requirement.)
tools and machinery: some tools and machines are shared (Some people have their own tools, but there are community tools available.)
motor vehicles: vehicles are private property (Currently all vehicles are privately owned, but purchase of a shared community vehicle(s) is one of our goals)
bicycles: some bicycles are public (There are community bicycles available, for both children and adults)
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| ethnicity |
ethnic diversity: proportional to general population
asian / pacific-islander: None, but would love to have some representives of this group in our community
black / african-american: present
native-american / american-indian: one person
white / caucasian: present
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| spirituality |
spiritual diversity: Every household has their own belief system. Some have religious beliefs in common with others, and some do not. Not a big deal.
meditation: a few people meditate regularly
agnostic: some people practice this faith
anthroposophic: acceptable though no current presence
atheist: acceptable though no current presence
bahai: acceptable though no current presence
buddhist: acceptable though no current presence (We desire someone of this faith in our community, but currently we have none.)
roman catholic: acceptable though no current presence
christian: some people practice this faith
eastern: acceptable though no current presence
emissaries: acceptable though no current presence
hindu: acceptable though no current presence
humanist: acceptable though no current presence
hutterian brethren: acceptable though no current presence
jewish: acceptable though no current presence
mennonite: acceptable though no current presence (We desire someone of this faith in our community, but currently we have none.)
moravian: acceptable though no current presence
mormon: acceptable though no current presence (We desire someone of this faith in our community, but currently we have none.)
muslim: acceptable though no current presence
native american: some people practice this faith
orthodoxy (greek, russian, etc.): acceptable though no current presence
paganism / earth religions: acceptable though no current presence (We desire someone of this faith in our community, but currently we have none.)
quaker: acceptable though no current presence
scientology: acceptable though no current presence (I personally know little about Scientology, other than what the media presents.)
seventh day adventist: acceptable though no current presence
sufi: acceptable though no current presence
transcendental meditation: acceptable though no current presence
unification church: acceptable though no current presence
unitarian universalist: acceptable though no current presence
taoist: acceptable though no current presence
eclectic (integrates pieces from many religions): acceptable though no current presence
ecumenical (includes "all religions"): acceptable though no current presence
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| government |
common political theme: no official theme (We are offically unofficial)
selecting leaders or centrals: from a pool of volunteers (Part of service to the community is helping to guide the direction of the community as a whole)
decision making: majority decides
rules: a few maxims which decisions and agreements must respect (The members of the community ultimately decide what rules and process they want to follow. Everyone opinion is heard and valued.)
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| activism |
party politics: a few people
protests and demonstrations: This is not something we organize or do as a community, but individuals are free to express themselves
non-violent direct action: I personally am for non-violent direct action. Other members do not. To each her/his own.
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| sustainability |
self-grown food: 25% (We will eventually get to 100%)
self-produced energy: We are currently on the Grid, but are taking steps to reduce our footprint, and produce all our own energy.
car-free: Only in areas surrounding the Town Square or common areas
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| income and money |
savings: What you wish to do with you money is your business
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| agriculture / garden |
livestock: some cows, horses, pigs, chickens, sheep. Typical farm animals
crops or produce: diverse selection of crops grown, including some soft fruits and grains
fruit trees: Orchard is being established
permaculture methods: some experimental plots
biodynamic methods: some experimental plots - seems to be working quite well
fukuoka (natural farming methods): some experimental plots
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| diet preferences |
common diet: no defined common diet (Currently omnivore but trend is shifting towards vegetarian)
coffee and caffeine: no restrictions
sugar: limited use
salt: no restrictions
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| love and sexuality |
polyamory / open relationships: respected and welcome (No pressure,)
polyfidelity (group marriage): respected and welcome (No pressure,)
bisexuality: respected and welcome (No pressure,)
homesexuality (male): respected and welcome
lesbianism: respected and welcome
heterosexuality: respected and welcome (No pressure,)
monogamy: respected and welcome (No pressure,)
celibacy: respected and welcome
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| parenting / children |
attachment parenting: encouraged
co-parenting: open / a personal choice
home education: open - a personal choice
home birth: open - a personal choice
cloth diapering: open - a personal choice
corporal punishment: rare and discouraged
childhood vaccines: a personal choice - equally open to all
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| seeking people |
seeking people: yes 20 (We are ready to expand and actively looking for members)
people with children: welcome (every community needs children)
people with disabilities: welcome
elderly people: welcome (Seniors are not only welcomed, but wanted.)
single parents: welcome (Single parents are idea candidates for our community.)
need capital to join: symbolic minimal amount ($1)
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| drugs / stimulants |
tobacco / nicotin: no restrictions (Not good for you, but no restrictions at this time.)
liquor: in private room or designated areas only (If there are children around, then no alcohol should be present)
wine: in private room or designated areas only (If there are children around, then no alcohol should be present)
beer and cider: in private room or designated areas only (If there are children around, then no alcohol should be present)
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| dress / tidiness |
nudity: limited to certain areas and times (I suppose if you want to be nude, we can make arrangements to accomodate that, but personally I am too self-concious)
tidiness: reasonably tidy
cleanliness: reasonably clean
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| visitors |
visitors without intention to join: welcome
paying visitors: welcome
working visitors: welcome
wwoofers: welcome
prearrangements: contact a few days in advance (email is fine)
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| languages |
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english, japanese. |
last updated 2009/06/22
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