Even as it celebrates 15 years, Wild Abundance is not standing still. The school recently launched a nonprofit arm, sparked by the devastation of Hurricane Helene. “Post-Helene, we got sponsorships, donations, and a grant from the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina,” Gaia explains. “It allowed us to donate tiny houses this year.” One of those houses was built in their intensive four- month hands-on carpentry program and will go to someone who lost their home in the storm. The success of that project has inspired them to expand the nonprofit’s scope - seeking grants, offering more scholarships, and ultimately finishing two or three tiny houses each year to give back to the community. “That feels like living in reciprocity with this place,” Gaia says. “And that feels really important.” New offerings are on the horizon, too. Next year they’ll debut a Home Handy-Person course to empower people with skills in plumbing, electrical, tiling, and flooring - another leap toward accessibility and resilience. “Every month we hold feedback meetings,” Gaia says. “We grow based on what our students need. That’s what guides us.” Building Toward the Future
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