Welcome...
…to adulthood.
The struggle is real.
Change. Excitement. Stress. Hope. Fear. Love. Beauty. Loss. Shame. Desire. Chaos.
These are just a handful of words to describe how it often feels to be human. The truth is, life is hard. It is a journey in which we are forced to face a number of unpredictable and terrifying challenges. Most often the scariest part is simply not knowing what will happen next.
Our lives are shaped by the experiences we face and the coping skills we develop along the way. When such experiences are painful and persistent, unhealthy coping skills might form as a means to survive. Some examples might include substance use, disordered eating, impulsivity, or codependency in relationships. Whatever the behavior is for you, you may find yourself feeling "stuck" and disconnected with your identity and purpose.
It is with this in mind that I decided to form Intraconnections Counseling. We spend much of our lives focusing on interconnecting with people in our lives, but we are not really taught the importance of connecting with ourselves. It is through this process of intraconnecting that you can begin knowing, befriending, and accepting yourself. It takes courage to look deeply within and it is my mission to provide a safe space for you to embark on this journey. You are not alone.
“You are imperfect, you are wired for Struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.”
— Brené Brown
Shabazz had to extend the garden to her front lawn but even then, it wasn’t enough to feed all who wanted to be involved. With neighbors January Blum and Lucas Dupont, Shabazz found a large vacant lot on Main Street and secured it as a farming cooperative. Word about Project Sprout spread throughout Kent County, so the team was invited to help start other community gardens.
Our Mission
Kent County is one of the most severely underserved communities in Tennessee. To combat this adversity, Project Sprout seeks to nourish our neighbors at the most fundamental level with healthy food options and a strong support network. All members get a portion of each harvest and surpluses are donated to low-income families whose work schedules prevent them from volunteering.
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With ten gardens and counting, Project Sprout has seen a significant improvement in mental and physical health for all participating community members. Other than lowering obesity, blood pressure, and depression rates, the crime rate has also fallen. Our children are doing better in school, reporting higher grades and aspirations, and better job prospects.
Get Involved
If you live near one of our gardens, get involved to receive portions of each harvest. We accept volunteers regardless of skill level. There is a rotation in roles, but we’ll teach you all the skills you need to know. Teenagers 14 years and older can earn community service credits for school in addition to getting produce for their families. Donations are also vital to our growth, as we use them for seed, fertilizer, tools, and outreach.