Earlier this fall, I had the opportunity to participate in the Greenhouse Fellowship, hosted by The Pollination Project (@thepollinationproject). Each Tuesday and Thursday morning for six weeks, I gathered with nearly 150 leaders from around the world to discuss our work in our various nonprofits and social service organizations. The Greenhouse was designed to “expand the consciousness of participants in ways that promote connection, community, resilience, and collaboration for grassroots changemakers.”
It was an amazing experience to be in conversation with these individuals and I am so excited to share one of their stories here. Logan McFadden is the founder and executive director of Build Repair Grow, based in Easthampton, MA. Without further ado, please join me in welcoming Logan to The Smile Project community.
Liz: Let’s begin in traditional Smile Project fashion. Give me a Happiness is!
Logan: Happiness is doing the work you love and feeling fulfilled intellectually, emotionally, and through the creation of something hands on.
Liz: Tell me about Build Repair Grow.
Logan: Build Repair Grow is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Western Massachusetts that began in February 2020. The mission of Build Repair Grow is to provide young people with training in practical skills critical for developing individual resiliency, problem-solving, and self-sufficiency. We do this through leading workshops in growing and cooking food, basic carpentry, sewing, and bike repair to students in elementary through high school.
Liz: What is the driving force behind what you do?
Logan: Empowering young people with skills to use tools necessary to dismantle systems they're dissatisfied with and build a better world, while also learning bike repair, sewing, carpentry, cooking, and gardening.
Liz: How can people get involved?
Logan: You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@build_repair_grow) or visit us at our website. Learn more about our Let’s Grow Campaign and partnership opportunities or make a donation here.
Liz: Do you have a favorite quote to leave us with?
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
― Maya Angelou
