Category: Volunteer

Now accepting volunteers!

We aren’t quite ready to start building houses, but we get closer and closer every day!  We know that is what most of our volunteers want to do and we’ll let you know when we are ready!

Meanwhile, we still need volunteers for a variety of other things including:

    • Helping with store shifts (Tuesday and Thursday 6pm – 8pm or Saturday and Sunday 10am – 2pm at 304 N. Third St.)
    • Helping with hanging drywall (Most Monday – Thursday 4pm – 8pm at 201 S. Stoughton Rd.)
    • Help with fundraising!!!

You can see the calendar for any of these events.  Or, to volunteer you can sign up by clicking on the button on the right hand part of your screen (on a computer) or at the bottom (if on a phone)

or this button to have us contact you!

Or just email us at occupymadisoninc@gmail.com and let us know what you are interested in!

 

Funding for Occupy Madison Inc Projects

Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway has proposed using federal spending for the needs of the houseless in Madison and specifically Occupy Madison. The mayor’s blog post can be found here.

The part of the post that impacts the organization:

Homelessness Support – $8,650,000. Funding supports a variety of strategies to support persons experiencing homelessness in Madison such a permanent men’s shelter and additional tiny houses, including an Occupy Madison Solar Project that will reduce housing costs.

We have been talking about having a solar array for years, and funding has always been a major obstacle. Our proposal is to have a solar array on the rooves of the main buildings at both villages and panels on every tiny house. This will not only cut operational costs so funds can be directed towards getting people into houses and a healing community, but we will also be doing our part to contribute to a green infrastructure.

We are currently working on finishing Phase 2 of OM Village, adding another shower, laundry facilities, a kitchen, and a community room to the existing building. After this is complete, we will be able to move four more people into the village and focus on building 22 tiny houses to replace the conestoga huts at the village on Aberg Avenue. Simultaneously, we are looking at more properties in Madison to put more tiny houses to get the unhoused into housing.

Link for how to get a tiny house here. How to volunteer and donate are on this site in the menu above.

Occupy Madison COVID19 Pandemic and Community Needs Response

Occupy Madison is honoring our roots and working on ways we can creatively use our assets to support the community by filling gaps to support people in need. Occupy Madison remains open as long as none of our residents are sick but we are exercising the following precautions to protect our family and community members:

  • Our store is closed except for online sales.
  • We have suspended tours of the village and potlucks.
  • Volunteers to care for the plants are welcome at the village unless any resident objects.
  • Shop shifts are determined by the individual shop managers, shifts are limited to 4 people. Shifts will be suspended upon request of any resident.
  • Cleaning
    • Spray down toilets and sinks before and after use
    • Regularly cleaning door handles and surfaces
  • No more than 10 people in the store, shop and public outdoor areas.
  • Use Google hangouts for all meetings, in person visits allowed unless or until residents object
  •  If a resident gets infected by COVID19, the following procedures will be followed:
      1. Designate a bathroom for people with COVID19
      2. Plan to bring food to the person who has to stay in their house
      3. Residents will send Brenda their emergency contacts.

For more information on how we are filling gaps, please see our GMM and Board Meeting notes.

Volunteers Needed!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!! We are currently seeking volunteers for two upcoming projects.

STORE HOURS – The first is that we want to have more regular store hours and we are looking for people to take regular shifts – once or twice a month, or every week. These shifts would be making sure our store is open regular hours. Right now we are looking for 5-8 Tuesday and Thursday and noon – 4 Saturday and Sunday. Other hours may be available if those don’t work for you.

PLANT SALE – We are also looking for volunteers to help with our plant sale. We need help with planting seeds, repotting plants and watering. No need to have a green thumb, we’re work you in to the rotation and show you the ropes!

If you are interested in either of these opportunities, please email us at occupymadisoninc@gmail.com.

 

OM Build Volunteers on Facebook.

OM Village Fiber Arts Circle

We have a fiber arts community event in the Village!

If you have a project you want to finish or want to start a new one,
If you have always wanted to learn how to knit or crochet,
If it has been a while and you want to try fiber arts again,
For any fiber reason at all, please join us!

OM Village Fiber Arts Circle
Sunday, January 12, 2020 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

304 N 3rd Street
Madison, WI 53704

Facebook event: Click here
Google Event:

Wanted: Shop Managers and Volunteers

Hello from OM Village!

We are currently in need of experienced woodworkers or people familiar with power tools to function as Shop Managers on various days and times.

The Shop Manager ensures safe operation of tools and advises 2 – 6 volunteers on projects. For more information, see Shop Manager Criteria, Shop Manager Responsibilities, Shop Handbook, and Shop Rules. If you are interested in becoming a Shop Manager for one of the 4 shifts, please email us.

We could still use some volunteers to help make items for the Village Store, designing flyers, sewing (items to sell in the store), planning, and numerous other activities. To see current events you can participate in, visit our Meetings and Events page and fill out the form, or send us an email.

 

Thanks in advance!