This course is open to folks who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). It is taught by two mixed race women of color.
Date: June 11th and 12th
Time: 9am to 5pm
Location: Groundswell Incubator Farm, 24 Helens Way, Ithaca, NY 14850
Description: In this two day course you’ll learn basic carpentry skills under the guidance of two instructors. Our small group will work together to build a waist height raised bed for the Groundswell Incubator Farm. You’ll learn the basics of following a carpentry plan including measuring, cutting, and fastening. You’ll use hand tools and power tools including the following: circular saws, drills, drivers, hand saws, and hammers. No prior carpentry experience is needed! This course is aimed for beginners who want to learn in a collaborative environment with emphasis on sharing skills
We hope that this course will empower you with valuable technical skills and also begin to connect networks of collaboration around garden, farm, and home carpentry projects. By the end of the course we envision that you’ll have the confidence to attempt simple carpentry projects of your own, and have some new friends with shared skills to call on for support!
Childcare: We’re happy to offer childcare on Saturday for a limited number of children ages 4+. The play-based children’s program will consist of a nature walk or a learning activity related to food. Please indicate if you need childcare below, and we will be in touch as soon as possible to confirm if we can accommodate your child(ren). We're working to secure childcare for Sunday as well and will keep in contact about this via email.
Transportation: See carpooling arrangements below.
Interpretation: Let us know if you need interpretation below and we will try our best to arrange this and confirm via email if we're able to offer it.
What to bring: You will need to bring a set of basic tools including a tool belt, speed square, measuring tape, and possibly a few other small items. Details on what’s needed will be sent out shortly by email. Cost of tools will total <$80.
We’ll supply: power tools, sawhorses, lumber and materials, lunch, snack, water.
Access needs: this class will be held at an outdoor area with uneven and possibly muddy terrain about 150’ from the parking area. There will be seating and a covered area for lunch and rest breaks. Bathrooms are ungendered port-a-potties. There will be drinking water and a sink for washing dishes, and snack and lunch will be provided. In case of heavy, sustained rain we will use an alternative location.
Food: There will be a 45-60 minute break for lunch and a 15 minute break for morning snack. Lunch yet to be confirmed but tamales and other Latin American food may make an appearance!
Instructors: lead instructor Miwa Oseki Robbins and assistant instructor Kimberly Wiman - see our social media for their bios.
Sliding scale fee: for this BIPOC only group, we welcome all participants to pay option 1 (free). If you would like to contribute more this option is available, but it is not at all required.
Consider paying option 1 (free) if you...
- Identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color
- have difficulty affording your basic needs such as food, transportation, medical care, and childcare, and/or don’t always manage to meet these needs
- are unemployed or have a low income
- receive public assistance
Consider paying option 2 (reduced fee, $180) if you...
- can typically afford your basic needs but have little expendable income or savings
- have significant debt or medical expenses not covered by insurance
- are supporting children or have other dependents
- are a senior on a limited, fixed income
Consider paying option 3 (full fee, $300) or 4 (full fee + donation, $380) if you...
- can comfortably and consistently afford your basic needs
- own the home you live in
- have personal savings, investments, retirement accounts, or inherited wealth
- travel recreationally
- have access to family money and resources in times of need
- have a relatively high degree of earning power due to level of education (or gender and racial privilege, class background, etc.) Even if you are not currently exercising your earning power, we ask you to recognize this as a choice
- would like to contribute towards programs at Groundswell including supporting costs of childcare, transportation, interpretation, and sliding scale options
COVID-19: In prioritizing health and safety during the pandemic, this workshop may require health precautions such as mask wearing or rapid testing on site, and may be cancelled or rescheduled in case of concerns related to COVID-19, in which case any payments will be refunded.
If you have any questions please email kimberly@groundswellcenter.org with the subject link BIPOC Beginner Carpentry.
Thank you and looking forward to learning together!