WholeFam sanctuary — a restored chapel and garden at sunset

Every town already has most of what it needs.

People who want useful work. Elders who need help. Empty buildings, unused kitchens, land nobody's farming. Those things can't see each other. We're building the layer that lets them.

25

partner organizations

5

countries of field research

1

working sanctuary lab

8

trail guides Sept 11

Three ways to participate

Most people start at the library. Some go deeper. Simple ways to grow.

Library

Practical trail guides, checklists, examples, real starting paths. Show me how.

Browse guides →

Network

Practitioners, working sites, community groups, organizations whose work taught us something. Help me find the people.

See the network →

Commons

Visits, working stays, seasonal gatherings, shared projects. Let me participate.

Tell us what you need →

How the guides get better

The loop is the product.

1

Learn from the best record we can find

2

Apply it in a real place

3

Watch what actually happens

4

Preserve the learning

5

Send the better version out

Network · knowledge · hub

People to connect with. Knowledge to draw on. A place to begin.

A network of people and places
Layer 1

A network of people and places

Homes, farms, gardens, restored churches and gathering places where people help each other live well. Each place starts with what it has.

Knowledge you can use
Layer 2

Knowledge you can use

Practical guides and shared experience about food, soil, useful work, care, music and the changes life brings. Learn enough to try a next step where you are.

A hub that helps you find your next step
Layer 3

A hub that helps you find your next step

A place to bring your question, see what help and resources fit, and connect with the right people. Start with your own needs and what is already on hand.

Forest Sanctuary — a restored historic chapel in Forest, Ohio

Flagship Sanctuary

Forest Sanctuary

A restored, historic community chapel in Forest, Ohio — the working example of what a WholeFam sanctuary looks like in practice.

WholeFam field research