Serve The City

Bianca and Bill joined up with a group of volunteers from Saanich for their Serve the City program that helps with garden work, landscaping, removal of invasive plants, cleaning, general handyman duties, preparing food for the homeless, for: Victoria Women's Shelter; Hearts for the Homeless; Woodwynn Farms; Layritz Park; Royal Oak Middle School; Options Pregnancy Centre; and Yard-work for local families.

Bianca and Bill chose Woodwyn Farm.  Woodwyn Farm is a 193 acre organic farm which has been created as a therapeutic community for the homeless.  Based on an Italian model its vision is “To enfold homeless people back into community by giving them the support and the tools needed to reclaim their self-worth.”

Posters in the main meeting "barn" include inspirational messages such as:  “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” —Margaret Mead; and the powerful statement from Richard Leblanc, the founder of this organization “Believe in people... until they are ready to believe in themselves.”

Woodwyn Farm welcomes artists, particularly the Plein Air Painters, to share the beauty of the land and its historic buildings.

Bianca and Bill helped clean out an old Dairy Barn and remove fences while others worked in gardens and did general clean-up.  It was a fantastic day.  A privilege to serve such a worthy organization.