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Originate’s 20th Anniversary

For Originate’s 20th Anniversary we have organized 20 days of Giving. It is my way to support the Tucson Community who I dearly love. We are going to be unrolling 20 days of events from a Fall Market, work parties from planting trees to building with light clay straw to plastering, talks on rammed earth and hempcrete, to in kind donations of building materials to a few different nonprofits and other fun things on the calendar. I am hoping you will join us in whatever way speaks to you and maybe learn about some other people who are also change makers in our Tucson community.

Events 

Be sure to follow us on social media for day by day updates and events!

Day 1 ✽ Saturday, September 30th 12-4pm at Originate – Originate Fall Market with 6 artisans and we will be accepting donations for the Primavera Foundation. Please see list of the items we will be collecting listed on Day 20 or on our Market page.

Day 2 ✽ Saturday, October 7th 8:30-10:30am – La Mar Park – Tucson Clean & Beautiful is planting 80 trees & 50 shrubs with the Mayor’s Office – We are looking for 40 volunteers to assist with planting. Please RSVP to Tucson Clean & Beautiful Here

Day 3 ✽ Thursday, October 12 6-8pm at Originate – Rammed Earth Panel Discussion with Quentin Branch of Rammed Earth Solar Homes, Tom Wuelpren of Pure Build, Ray Clamons of Natural Building Works, and Brad Mimlitz of Earth Wall Builders. Will we be asking for sliding scale donations of $5-$15 when you RSVP. – 50 person cap

Days 4 – 7 ✽ I Am You 360 believes in empowering the whole person through a blend of holistic, unique programs and services to disrupt the school to prison pipeline syndrome, direct and long term impact, reduce judicial involvement, break generational cycles and create generational change. 

Small Home Program allows for our youth to apply for an opportunity to gain housing and a dynamic support system as they transition into adulthood.

We will be donating Marmoleum flooring, Roma Bio Mineral Based interior paint, salvage floating wood shelves, and a salvaged white marble composite bathroom countertop .

For the flooring donation, we are asking you to help match these funds. Originate will donate $800 towards the cost and we are hoping you will help with the other half. We will be accepting donations through Zelle at natasha@originatenbm.com

Please email with any questions you might have about the donations or project.

Days 8 & 9 ✽ Casa Mariposa is a space of solidarity, support, and healing for LGBTQIJ+ migrants and refugees affected by the immigration-prison industrial complex. Located in Tucson, AZ, Casa Mariposa is a communal housing project lead by Mariposas sin Fronteras. Upon leaving detention, LGBTQI+ migrants and refugees are offered not only transitional housing, but also a home and community where they can begin a new life and thrive. 

As part of Mariposas sin Fronteras, Casa Mariposa is committed to creating a dignified and better quality of life for the trans-queer immigrant community through access to necessary resources to survive and triumph in health, mental health, housing, food, education, economic opportunities, coexistence and community love.

We will be donating cabinetry, countertops, and a sink to one of their projects.

Days 10 & 11 ✽ The Outlaw Project- Light Clay Straw and American Clay Plaster workshops. Dates TBD

The Outlaw Project is based on the principles of intersectionality and prioritizes the leadership of Transgender Women, BIPOC, gender non-binary, migrant and sex worker folks.  Ensuring their rights and health as a first step will ensure the rights and health of all. They believe that accessible, safe and secure housing is the best way to support our community.

Days 12 & 13 ✽ The Homing Project – Across the country a growing number of cities have created villages of small prefab houses to rapidly house individuals and families without housing. “To provide immediate residence and services to the unhoused in one location in order to bridge the current economic and social gaps separating them from safe and dignified living.

We will be donating bricks and concrete pavers for their dining area.

Day 14 ✽ Thursday, October 19th 6-8pm at Originate – Cocktails for Courage – Originate is hosting an event for Beads of Courage – Cheers to 20 Years – Two Tucson Originals turning twenty.

Live music, local food, custom cocktail, make your own 20th Anniversary strand featuring unique beads from local artists including Petra Juarez, Bronwen Helman, and others.

$50 – 50 person cap – tickets purchased through Beads of Courage directly

Beads of Courage, Inc. is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and teens coping with serious illness, their families, and the clinicians who care for them through our Arts-in-Medicine Programs. We believe in creating a context for caring transactions to transpire through our community and encouragement programs.

Day 15 ✽ Wednesday, October 25th 9:30AM – By Fusion Block talk with Heather Bowers. Learn about and interact with blocks at Mission Gardens.

Day 16 ✽ Friday, October 27th 6-9 pm at Originate – Our Annual Birthday Party! Every year we like to throw a party as a Thank You to our customers and community. Come join us as we celebrate with food, drinks, and live music!

Day 17 ✽ Saturday, October 28th 3-5 pm at Originate – Intro to Hemp Building and hands on demonstration with Micaela Machado of Old Pueblo Hempcrete and Alex Sexsmith of Sexsmith Architects .We will be asking for a $25 donation when you RSVP. – 20 person cap

Day 18 ✽ Tiny Shiny Home– workshop with CalEarth in November – sponsor an exterior door

Day 19 ✽  City High – tour of Originate / class with teachers/students using materials from here

Day 20 ✽ The Primavera Foundation – collecting hygiene products (travel and full sized) all month long to give to homeless – they fill about 700 of bottles on a weekly basis with shampoo, conditioner, lotion, sunscreen, body wash and toothpaste, which are provided as “survival kits” to our participants.