Needing some out-of-the-box assist

[Bill Maxwell]

So, today we got the news.

We are to vacate these premises by June 15th.

We've got nothing; no savings, no checking, no retirement, nothing substantial to liquidate. Nik's part time job (for about a grand a month) starts in July.  Due to late payments and some outstanding debts (nothing too large by today's admittedly insane standards), we do not have good credit.

Traditionally, in this time folks turn to this:

• Government assistance
• Co-signer on a new rental
• Move in with Parents
• Move in with Friends
• Homelessness

And sure, some of those will be options we'll check out.  But the reason why I value Transition is that sometimes we think a wee bit more crooked than most.  Nik & I are looking for brainstorming, for options OUTSIDE the norm.  Yeah, we'll be on Craigslist checking stuff out, but what about things like:

• A community funded home.

People invest in buying a house / raw land WITH a very specific return.  It becomes a de facto community meet space, perhaps a tool exchange, a think-tank for resilient projects, a work space or mail location for various non profits. How could people directly benefit? Have Nikki & I write specific grants for them? Have chickens so they get eggs? Do website and business development? Think of it like a Kickstarter project on steroids.

• A caretaking job

So what is going on with the Oakridge property on Devonshire, Don? What would happen if we took the idea of an established community oriented family moving in and tending the land, maintaining connections with various relevant non-profits (native, historical, FOLA, Thomas Payne, etc.) and use the property as a show-off place for the Valley Green Team's expertise?  What would the city say to that?  For the price of room & board...

And... I don't know what else.  We're going to try like mad to get closer to our kids' school -- "Our Community School" near Corbin & Devonshire, the junction of Chatsworth and Van Nuys.

Thoughts folks?  Chew on it. Maybe nothing will come of it. Maybe we'll get something really special to brag about. :)

Best

Bill Maxwell
freaking out a little, but also sensing an opportunity like sharks sense blood in the water.

[Don Dwiggins]

Terribly sorry to hear this.  Unfortunately, the only out-of-the-box ideas I have at the moment are also out-of-the-city.  You might check with the Transition Joshua Tree folks (http://transitionjoshuatree.org/) -- one of them showed up at the "retreat" we held last year -- I don't remember the name, but I'm pretty sure Joanne would.  Similarly, I seem to remember hearing that there are other communities in the desert and the mountains east of San Bernardino where folks with little or nothing have been able to find a place.

The Oakridge restoration is in progress (see http://www.theoakridgeestate.com/).  They've got a 501c3 and are soliciting funds, including from the local NCs.  I don't know much more than that.


Best of luck in your quest,
Don


Replying to Bill Maxwell <blues...@gmail.com>:

[Deborah Simpson]

Bill,

I am keeping you and your family in my prayers. I will keep my eyes and ears open to any opportunities that may come up. 

You mentioned that you are open to caretaking jobs. I found the following link that shows caretaker openings across the United States. One of my co-workers and his wife are caretakers at a historical site in Ventura County. They enjoy it very much. 

http://www.caretaker-jobs.com/search_result_job.cfm?CFID=47562608&CFTOKEN=94275891&pr=trial 

All my best to you and your family,

Debbie