common kin quarterly: update 1
where i'm at + big thanks
Hi friends! I wanted to take a moment to share an update on Common Kin Quarterly, my fundraiser for my second year of herb school (which starts in just over a month!). A total of 14 people have supported this fundraiser, helping me raise $1,206.11 so far. This is truly amazing and has helped me come up with just under half of the cost for my total tuition of $2,250. Thank you so much to everyone who has subscribed to Common Kin Quarterly, sent me a donation, or helped to spread the word. It really means so much.
My initial goal was to raise $5,000 to also help me cover travel costs to in-person intensives where I can connect with my teachers and peers irl. That feels pretty lofty at the moment, so my new goal is to raise $3,000 which will cover the entirety of my tuition and will allow me to not have to dip into tuition costs to pay for the expenses associated with Common Kin Quarterly (materials, printing, etc).
All that being said, if you’ve thought about subscribing, please do! If you’ve thought about sharing, but haven’t yet, please do! If you have a friend who you think would be into what I’m doing, please forward details along to them. Every little bit truly helps. If 18 people subscribed for a year’s worth of shares ($100), we’d hit my goal. It’s definitely within reach!
I realize the majority of folks are currently struggling financially and certainly I am by no means alone in needing help, so please prioritize supporting folks who need it most right now. Like those still recovering from climate disasters, as well as mutual aid efforts and organizations dedicated to supporting Black, Indigenous, immigrant, and trans communities. If you’re someone who’s lucky enough to be financially stable, I hope you’re engaged in a practice of redistributing your wealth and supporting mutual aid efforts on a regular basis. Even as someone who very much lives paycheck to paycheck, I regularly put what money I can back into my community.
With my first share of Common Kin Quarterly due out in the spring, I’ve finalized what herbal product I’ll be including in the share (think big-time lymph moving) and am slowly, but surely plugging away on the zine. I can’t wait to get these offerings out to everyone!
I really struggled to put this message together, feeling a bit selfish to share with *everything* happening around us. But ultimately I want to normalize asking for help and support and speaking my needs. We quite literally need each other. We always have and always will. May we continue to voice our needs and lift each other up whenever, wherever, and however we can.
Thank you for your attention, energy, and support in my writing and beyond.
Thank you for reading Extra Tender Dispatch! All my writing is accessible for free and likely always will be. If you’d like to show your support for my work, feel free to Venmo a donation of any amount to @vanwardy ❤️
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