Newsletter: The Fresh Squeeze: Summertime at Mesa
Imagination begins here.
Above: The pollinator garden with a sculpture and tiny homes in the background. This sculpture was made for and given to Mesa by local artist Claudia Wilson. Claudia was inspired by Mesa and wanted to create a piece that inspired hope and a sense of belonging. Participants can add their names to copper leaves that are then added to the branches of the sculpture.
I recently heard that all things began as an idea—everything from the computer in front of me to the table it's sitting on. Mesa, too, began as an idea. We saw a need to shift the way we think about homelessness and that idea caught on.
You believed in the idea enough to help support it in a variety of ways. Now, as we near the 1 year anniversary of our first participants moving in, we are asking you to imagine what the future might hold for us and the young adults we serve.
One way you can do that is to jump onto our new volunteer portal, where you can express your interest in helping us in ways that speak to you. This may be in response to our outreach for volunteers for everything from events to building out our new organic garden, or it could be to offer something you are passionate about or an expert in - like teaching a cooking class (with the vegetables grown in that garden!) or offering a class in our new wellness space.
We are committed to cultivating possibility for young adults facing homelessness and you are a key component of that mission.
Take a look at all of the new projects we are working on and imagine how you might get involved—it takes all of us.
Thank you for being part of this movement,
Dan Parziale
Co-founder and Executive Director
NEWS & UPDATES
Introducing the Mesa Community Portal!
We’re excited to launch the Mesa Community Portal, a new space where volunteers can get connected, stay informed, and deepen their engagement with Mesa’s work.
Through the portal, you can:
Create a volunteer profile
Share your interests, skills, and availability
Submit offerings or unique contributions
Review all required volunteer documents
View our events calendar to:
See upcoming volunteer opportunities
View event details
Sign-up for events
Cancel or update your RSVP
Visit www.app.mesafarm.org to get started by creating your volunteer account today!
If you have questions or want to share a special offering, feel free to reach out to us at join@mesafarm.org.
We’d love to hear from you.
The incredible volunteers that made last year's Grand Opening and Community Open House possible.
A Peaceful Addition to the Farm
Volunteer and renowned landscape designer April Palmer has continued to develop and cultivate the grounds here at Mesa. With the support of several generous donors, she just finished the pond in the pollinator garden.
We have shared her designs in our newsletter in the past, and it is incredible to see them come to life with her leadership and the volunteered hours of many of you.
Our participants, staff, and animal friends have already begun to gather or sit and reflect at the pond waterfall’s side.
BOARD & STAFF HIGHLIGHTS
Join us in welcoming new Mesa Board Members Jack Edelstein and Kyle Thille!
Jack joins our board as a longtime Mesa supporter and advocate for Mesa's mission. As a current board member of the Ventura County Community Foundation and the Ventura County Continuum of Care, Jack is highly engaged in area philanthropy as well as the network of support serving those experiencing homelessness. "I want to be part of the village that wraps its arms around young adults facing homelessness and gives them a fair shot at life."
We're delighted to have Kyle’s business expertise and passion for our mission. Kyle is Founder & Manager of Ventura Coast Brew Co. and JK Thille Ranch. His Board experience includes Santa Paula Creek Sports Foundation, Downtown Ventura Organization, and the Central Coast Brewer’s Guild.
We are also grateful to have David Killian and Leigh Hyndman join us as Relief House Managers. David brings inspiring passion for plants and the surrounding land to Mesa, as well as his many years of experience in educating youth. Leigh has decades of experience in social work, working with young adults, and has already offered art and creative co-working with participants during her time here. We are lucky to have them join our team!
THANKS TO YOU - WE SURPASSED OUR GOAL!
Thanks to your incredible support, our Grow With Us! campaign in May not only reached—but surpassed—its $50,000 goal, raising a total of $59,557.50!
Because of you, we unlocked our full $10,000 matching gift, bringing even more impact to young adults facing homelessness in Ventura County.
Your generosity is already at work—helping us expand our Organic Garden, remodel our garage into a new Wellness Space, and transform our Community Patio. These improvements create a more healing, welcoming environment for the young people we serve every day.
We’re so grateful to have you by our side. Thank you for believing in our mission and making this success possible!
Cultivating possibility for young adults facing homelessness.
