40. Finding The Emerald City

Navigating Life as we Know It

Remember Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz? She had an impossible task. First retrieve the broom stick of the Wicked Witch and deliver it to the Wizard of Oz who would grant her wish to return to her home in Kansas. Doesn't life feel like that sometimes? Impossible task? Improbable goals? Flying Monkeys all around you? Attempting to find and secure affordable, community based, appropriately supported housing during a skyrocketing real estate market makes snatching a witch's broom stick look easy, doesn't it? The families with Oasis Community of West Michigan have persisted and learned a few things on their trip down the Yellow Brick Road. Most of all we discovered there is power in numbers and when a growing group of families with diverse talents and skills work together the impossible and improbable become attainable! Today we visit with co-founders Grace Smith, the president of Oasis Community and Lynn Surdock, secretary who, along with "yours truly," set off on the Yellow Brick Road 13 years ago. Just like the Tin Man, The Cowardly Lion, and the Scare Crow you will learn that we all have immense powers to achieve our housing and independence goals.... if you start by believing in the mission and have faith in our own abilities to make it happen!

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