Discussion about entry: Sustain-A-Raisers: Re-imagining “barn-raising” for sustainable home and yard retrofits.

Sustain-A-Raisers is such an important program here in my community. It connects people to one another, helps them to easily add improvements to their home that benefit the environment and their wallets, and supports strong youth leadership.

I was involved in two clothesline Sustain-A-Raisers this past year and it was really rewarding for me. I learned DIY skills, gained a better understanding of environmental problems and solutions, and connected with really interesting people in my neighborhood. I got involved with calculating how much the clotheslines were saving in carbon going into the atmosphere and money off the electric bill (1,800lbs, $110/year!)

I've begun making personal changes as a result of this experience: trying to use fewer resources, line drying, and helping out at a local farm in exchange for veggies. I hope to continue to be involved with this program in the future and I hope everyone votes for it!

A strong community is so important to me.....Since GALA got started in 2006, I feel as though I'm really part of a community NOW....:) I can't explain how that feels...except that when driving through town I hold my head high knowing that through my commitment to GALA I have made a difference....I'm really excited knowing that other communities can and might adopt a similar GALA model....:)....!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All leaders begin as dreamers. I remember running into Josh some years ago as he was on the cusp of creating G.A.L.A. He has done so many amazing things that truly have brought awareness and community together! Always having a smile on his face, open to ideas, brainstorming ideas every day (you can almost see the wheels turning)...he is a solid leader in our community.

His inclusiveness of bringing all types and ages of people together to better our community are to be commended and applauded!!

Josh is a forward thinker and our society needs more dreamers who actually real-ize their dreams into being tangible, common sense approaches to caring about our communities and the environment.

As a Social Worker, one of the biggest protective factors to prevent substance abuse/addiction is for people to feel connected and important to their community; Josh has found creative and effective ways to do just this~ what a gift his ideas made real have been, and continue to be, to our communities. Thanks Josh!