It Takes a Village: Cecelia Rich

by | Oct 15, 2021 | Heartivist Of The Week

A long career in social work gave Cecelia Rich a firsthand perspective on the many issues her community was facing: homelessness, food insecurity, opioid addiction, and disconnection, just to name a few. Realizing that nourishing food is a need that connects us all, she founded “The Village Tree” in 2016 as an urban gardening initiative to nurture the body, mind and spirit. 

Her first seed funding came from The Pollination Project. In her application, she wrote “This is literally a grassroots project. We need materials to clear the grass and seeds to take root.”

After receiving this seed grant her work blossomed, and she transformed a two acre vacant lot into a flourishing urban garden space. What started as one woman’s dream now has the support of over 100 community members and a plethora of organizational partners. They host community gatherings, serve as a resource hub for individuals in need, and donate impressive yields of nutritious vegetables to local food banks. Cecelia has created more than just a garden; her work pioneers new ways of thinking about community resiliency, belonging, and sustainability. 

“I wouldn’t have been able to get this far if it wasn’t for The Pollination Project who saw my vision and gave The Village Tree its first seed money. It could not be we if not for you,” she shared. 

“I’m not a United Way, I’m not a big name, I’m just a tree,” Cecilia said in a recent interview. “And the beauty about a tree is that it has so many branches. And each branch has its purpose and serves its purpose each time. We need to know that we are branches. Each one of us has a gift. Find your gift. Find your niche and grow from it. And that’s what we try to do.”

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"Sowing Change: Conversations about Seed Grant Impact," is designed to shed light on the transformative work of our grantees, made possible through the support of TPP's seed grants. 

In our first episode, our Natasha Reilly-Moynihan meets Tracy Glover of @sweetpeepsmicrosanctuary, a haven for chickens rescued from animal agriculture. Tracy shares the transformative journey of these sentient beings from being seen as mere food to recognized as unique individuals with their own stories. 

This series aims to showcase the ripple effect of TPP's seed grants through powerful narratives of change and compassion. Tune in to be inspired and to see the world from a new, hopeful perspective.

Watch it now and let us know iff you like it 🧡👇
Please, meet Maida Šabeta-Lemajić , our Heartivist of the Week!

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a landmark document from 1948, marked a pivotal moment for humanity by acknowledging inherent rights for all individuals, regardless of origin or circumstance. However, while humans have seen progress in safeguarding their rights, the same cannot be said for other inhabitants of the planet. Maida Šabeta-Lemajić, a passionate advocate for animal welfare, is tirelessly working alongside the Global Animal Law GAL Association to extend universal protection to all sentient beings.

Born and raised in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Maida's journey into animal advocacy began during her college years when she discovered the pervasive issue of animal cruelty. Since then, she has been instrumental in shaping animal protection laws in her country, leading to significant reforms such as banning animals in circuses and curtailing animal experimentation.

Maida's dedication to animal welfare has taken her to various organizations, including PETA Germany and Cruelty Free International. However, it is her involvement with the Global Animal Law GAL Association that has allowed her to pursue her dream of enacting global animal protection laws. Under the leadership of figures like Dr. h.c. Antoine F. Goetschel, the association is working towards establishing the United Nations Convention on Animal Health and Protection (UNCAHP), a monumental initiative aimed at legally safeguarding animals worldwide. 

Maida and her team are spearheading efforts to raise awareness and garner support for the UNCAHP through initiatives like video production and outreach campaigns. With support from organizations like The Pollination Project, they aim to amplify their message and build a global coalition for animal rights. 

Read the interview on our website [https://thepollinationproject.org] 

@global_animal_law_gal
#Animalrights #animalprotection #animallaw #animalactivism #animalwelfare #AnimalHealth #HumanHealth #EnvironmentalHealth #OneHealth