Bread of Life Transition News
"Our transition from Davis to Sacramento has been successful and we are
thriving in our new - but not yet permanent - location. Here's our vision
for the future."
Our Vision:
An Urban Retreat Center in North Sacramento
As we sow the seeds for the next ten years of service, we envision an urban
retreat center in North Sacramento as the home for all aspects of our
mission ... and we need your help! We're seeking a donor with a heart for
the neighborhood, a passion for the mission, and a need for the kind of tax
advantage that comes from donating property to a non-profit organization.
We have tax advisors and estate planners willing to work with you. If you
know a place that includes our site criteria (listed below), please let us
know. If you know someone we should be talking to in the neighborhood,
please give us their contact information.
Who? Bread of Life is a charitable and educational non-profit which began
in Davis in 1997 and then founded Spirit in the Arts in North Sacramento in
2004. In May 2006 we combined operations in North Sacramento, where we now
seek a permanent home with room to grow.
What? Our goal is an urban retreat facility close to the center of the city
that can house overnight guests and groups of 20-25. We can begin with
buildings and grounds sufficient to house the current mission: art studio
space, administrative offices, spiritual direction rooms, prayer space, a
large kitchen and meal space, meeting rooms of various sizes for our
programs and for community activities.
The site needs sufficient grounds to create a sense of urban retreat - not a
separated enclave that is an escape from life, but a retreat in the midst of
urban life that is available to folks in both the neighborhood and the
greater Sacramento area. It needs enough space for quiet and for
development of gardens that restore and refresh the spirit and the senses.
Part of the vision, if there is sufficient acreage, is community gardens for
food production and beauty.
We are looking for building(s) and space in North Sacramento that include
the following criteria:
1. Accessible to all: Easy to get to via car, bus and/or
light rail; set back from busy streets; parking available; ground floor.
Ideally it would be planted in a neighborhood rather than a strictly
commercial area so that families and children can easily and safely access
services.
2. Residential setting: Several of us want to purchase
homes in the neighborhood to live in and for the retreat aspects of the
mission. We seek a site with nearby houses and buildings that might be
available for purchase in the near future. Church or school sites are ideal.
3. Around or near Del Paso Boulevard or a similar
redevelopment area: Serving the poor and disadvantaged as well as the middle
class will continue to be core to our mission. This mission includes using
creative arts to create a 'common table' where those of different
backgrounds and circumstance come together.
4. Sufficient room to allow for separation between more
exuberant and more contemplative activities.
5. Room to grow.
Ideal Elements for Our Permanent Home
I. Basic Physical Plant: Big enough to include...
A. Two large art rooms
B. Room for an art gallery/book & gift store space
C. Small private office spaces for individual and group spiritual direction and for quiet reflection - at least 3
D. Small administrative offices - at least 4 plus a small community office
E. Two meeting rooms - one large enough for 8-10 people, one for 25 people
F. Full kitchen (commercial preferred or the space to create one)
G. A community dining room space that can be used for groups of 50 - 100
H. Bathroom facilities for mixed groups
I. Storage areas for distributing foodstuffs in the community, for art and office supplies, and for programmatic materials
J. Electrical that can handle computers, copiers and the like
K. Parking off street
II. Basic Outside Space: Land enough to create a sense of spaciousness,
peace and beauty and to expand, including...
L. Room for outside seating, gathering, and reflection
M. Garden space capable of growing food as well as providing beauty
N. Outdoor shed for gardening supplies and equipment
O. Place for kiln and pottery items
P. Space for cottage industry (industrial arts, commercial ventures etc.) as an expansion of our studio arts and for mentoring people in the neighborhood
Know a place? Please come by for a cup of coffee and a conversation. We'd
love to talk! Want more information about who we are? Ask for a copy of our
mission and vision.
Contact Sandra or Jean at (916) 648-1803.
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