good morning my name is Lisa Freeman and I’m a self-appointed badass social
I’m a self-appointed badass social
I’m a self-appointed badass social worker I own it and I am from the city
worker I own it and I am from the city
worker I own it and I am from the city of Pittsburgh and I live in a beautiful
of Pittsburgh and I live in a beautiful
of Pittsburgh and I live in a beautiful community of Manchester and my
community of Manchester and my
community of Manchester and my discussion today will be creating
discussion today will be creating
discussion today will be creating authentic relationships so starting with
authentic relationships so starting with
authentic relationships so starting with that the topic is be authentic be you
that the topic is be authentic be you
that the topic is be authentic be you and I’m going to travel through some of
and I’m going to travel through some of
and I’m going to travel through some of my stories and hopefully bring it in and
my stories and hopefully bring it in and
my stories and hopefully bring it in and tie it in but we’re going to talk about
tie it in but we’re going to talk about
tie it in but we’re going to talk about being authentic my name is Lisa Freeman
being authentic my name is Lisa Freeman
being authentic my name is Lisa Freeman I have over 30 years maybe 35 of social
I have over 30 years maybe 35 of social
I have over 30 years maybe 35 of social work experience I have a master’s two
work experience I have a master’s two
work experience I have a master’s two master’s degree 1 in social work one in
master’s degree 1 in social work one in
master’s degree 1 in social work one in public administration I have worked in
public administration I have worked in
public administration I have worked in every type of high-risk dangerous
every type of high-risk dangerous
every type of high-risk dangerous marginalized impoverished wealthy with
marginalized impoverished wealthy with
marginalized impoverished wealthy with the elitist with problems problems
the elitist with problems problems
the elitist with problems problems problems I’ve been a social worker with
problems I’ve been a social worker with
problems I’ve been a social worker with mental health where people have called
mental health where people have called
mental health where people have called me where there’s been a shooting that
me where there’s been a shooting that
me where there’s been a shooting that gangbangers have shot somebody and
gangbangers have shot somebody and
gangbangers have shot somebody and called me to come in can you talk to the
called me to come in can you talk to the
called me to come in can you talk to the family can you go talk to the neighbors
family can you go talk to the neighbors
family can you go talk to the neighbors there’s trauma and they need some
there’s trauma and they need some
there’s trauma and they need some release I’ve worked with people who have
release I’ve worked with people who have
release I’ve worked with people who have not had I worked with food banks helping
not had I worked with food banks helping
not had I worked with food banks helping people not be evicted helping people
people not be evicted helping people
people not be evicted helping people stay in their homes helping their
stay in their homes helping their
stay in their homes helping their children stay in their homes I testified
children stay in their homes I testified
children stay in their homes I testified at court hearings I have done it all I
at court hearings I have done it all I
at court hearings I have done it all I have been in the trenches for a long
have been in the trenches for a long
have been in the trenches for a long time
time
time but that’s a job and I had outcomes I
but that’s a job and I had outcomes I
but that’s a job and I had outcomes I had things that I had to do that not
had things that I had to do that not
had things that I had to do that not wasn’t necessarily being authentic that
wasn’t necessarily being authentic that
wasn’t necessarily being authentic that was my job this is how I become
was my job this is how I become
was my job this is how I become authentic in our garden with playing in
authentic in our garden with playing in
authentic in our garden with playing in the
the
the I’m a badass through the work I was
I’m a badass through the work I was
I’m a badass through the work I was gonna say superwoman I am – I keep
gonna say superwoman I am – I keep
gonna say superwoman I am – I keep putting those names to it
putting those names to it
putting those names to it superwoman social worker this is where I
superwoman social worker this is where I
superwoman social worker this is where I get my authenticity by playing in the
get my authenticity by playing in the
get my authenticity by playing in the dirt I love being in the mud I really
dirt I love being in the mud I really
dirt I love being in the mud I really really do being in the garden and the
really do being in the garden and the
really do being in the garden and the sunshine that’s where that’s where I do
sunshine that’s where that’s where I do
sunshine that’s where that’s where I do my real work and you’d be surprised how
my real work and you’d be surprised how
my real work and you’d be surprised how many people I’ve encountered so this
many people I’ve encountered so this
many people I’ve encountered so this this where it all started I have a
this where it all started I have a
this where it all started I have a garden in Manchester it started as a
garden in Manchester it started as a
garden in Manchester it started as a community school garden and we it’s
community school garden and we it’s
community school garden and we it’s partnered with one of the poorest
partnered with one of the poorest
partnered with one of the poorest schools in the Pittsburgh Public School
schools in the Pittsburgh Public School
schools in the Pittsburgh Public School District and it was intentionally meant
District and it was intentionally meant
District and it was intentionally meant to be an outdoor learning space where
to be an outdoor learning space where
to be an outdoor learning space where kids can grow and develop and nurture
kids can grow and develop and nurture
kids can grow and develop and nurture something a plant and then take care of
something a plant and then take care of
something a plant and then take care of it and then see the reward of a plant
it and then see the reward of a plant
it and then see the reward of a plant and the fruit that it’s produced and
and the fruit that it’s produced and
and the fruit that it’s produced and that was the premise we had 14 raised
that was the premise we had 14 raised
that was the premise we had 14 raised beds and makes the city came in and put
beds and makes the city came in and put
beds and makes the city came in and put him in overnight with trucks and dirts
him in overnight with trucks and dirts
him in overnight with trucks and dirts and we were ready to go and my house is
and we were ready to go and my house is
and we were ready to go and my house is a few doors of few blocks away from that
a few doors of few blocks away from that
a few doors of few blocks away from that and will literally when I’m in my mojo
and will literally when I’m in my mojo
and will literally when I’m in my mojo I’m walking on the back of my shoes my
I’m walking on the back of my shoes my
I’m walking on the back of my shoes my heels are exposed I’m probably Ashley
heels are exposed I’m probably Ashley
heels are exposed I’m probably Ashley probably looking like this with no
probably looking like this with no
probably looking like this with no makeup on mismatched clothes I’m looking
makeup on mismatched clothes I’m looking
makeup on mismatched clothes I’m looking like god only knows what mud itself
like god only knows what mud itself
like god only knows what mud itself walking mud so it started in my
walking mud so it started in my
walking mud so it started in my community the garden is right outside
community the garden is right outside
community the garden is right outside the basketball field where people
the basketball field where people
the basketball field where people congregate and I had a garbage can with
congregate and I had a garbage can with
congregate and I had a garbage can with the wheels on it I’m trying to get the
the wheels on it I’m trying to get the
the wheels on it I’m trying to get the mulch or whatever from my house and I’m
mulch or whatever from my house and I’m
mulch or whatever from my house and I’m rolling it back back and forth and I’ve
rolling it back back and forth and I’ve
rolling it back back and forth and I’ve been there for a while and it’s hot and
been there for a while and it’s hot and
been there for a while and it’s hot and sweaty and I’m walking back through the
sweaty and I’m walking back through the
sweaty and I’m walking back through the little Center and these gentlemen men
little Center and these gentlemen men
little Center and these gentlemen men and women were standing there young
and women were standing there young
and women were standing there young adults and I knew I liked today they’re
adults and I knew I liked today they’re
adults and I knew I liked today they’re waiting for me because I build my hand I
waiting for me because I build my hand I
waiting for me because I build my hand I talk to everybody like say hey but I was
talk to everybody like say hey but I was
talk to everybody like say hey but I was tired that day and I like they’re gonna
tired that day and I like they’re gonna
tired that day and I like they’re gonna they’re gonna get me like so I got right
they’re gonna get me like so I got right
they’re gonna get me like so I got right up to him and I just looked at like you
up to him and I just looked at like you
up to him and I just looked at like you know which one y’all gonna help me
know which one y’all gonna help me
know which one y’all gonna help me because I’m old enough to be your mother
because I’m old enough to be your mother
because I’m old enough to be your mother and they were smoking weed no I don’t
and they were smoking weed no I don’t
and they were smoking weed no I don’t care no judging
care no judging
care no judging I’m old enough to be your grandmother or
I’m old enough to be your grandmother or
I’m old enough to be your grandmother or your mother which way which one y’all
your mother which way which one y’all
your mother which way which one y’all know help me and they’re looking at me
know help me and they’re looking at me
know help me and they’re looking at me because it was ready to laugh as soon as
because it was ready to laugh as soon as
because it was ready to laugh as soon as I walked by and they said yes ma’am yes
I walked by and they said yes ma’am yes
I walked by and they said yes ma’am yes ma’am I’m gonna help you and he started
ma’am I’m gonna help you and he started
ma’am I’m gonna help you and he started he took the garbage can and he started
he took the garbage can and he started
he took the garbage can and he started rolling to my house and the other his
rolling to my house and the other his
rolling to my house and the other his friends that were there they start
friends that were there they start
friends that were there they start leveling and I turned back I said don’t
leveling and I turned back I said don’t
leveling and I turned back I said don’t laugh at him cuz I got a few more trips
laugh at him cuz I got a few more trips
laugh at him cuz I got a few more trips you all determine who’s gonna help me
you all determine who’s gonna help me
you all determine who’s gonna help me next by the time he got back to the
next by the time he got back to the
next by the time he got back to the guard he got he gladly helped me got
guard he got he gladly helped me got
guard he got he gladly helped me got back to the garden his friends were gone
back to the garden his friends were gone
back to the garden his friends were gone he helped me not once not twice not
he helped me not once not twice not
he helped me not once not twice not three times he didn’t ask me if I had a
three times he didn’t ask me if I had a
three times he didn’t ask me if I had a master’s degree can you help me he
master’s degree can you help me he
master’s degree can you help me he didn’t ask me about my background I
didn’t ask me about my background I
didn’t ask me about my background I don’t know his name and he doesn’t know
don’t know his name and he doesn’t know
don’t know his name and he doesn’t know mine but when he sees me today I know he
mine but when he sees me today I know he
mine but when he sees me today I know he has a baby how your baby doing when he
has a baby how your baby doing when he
has a baby how your baby doing when he sees me I’m like how you doing that
sees me I’m like how you doing that
sees me I’m like how you doing that relationship was authentic playing in
relationship was authentic playing in
relationship was authentic playing in the dirt when they see when that was
the dirt when they see when that was
the dirt when they see when that was five years ago when they saw me like the
five years ago when they saw me like the
five years ago when they saw me like the lady with the crazy hair they know me
lady with the crazy hair they know me
lady with the crazy hair they know me like that
like that
like that the Jamaican they call me all kind of
the Jamaican they call me all kind of
the Jamaican they call me all kind of thing she’s not from Africa but when the
thing she’s not from Africa but when the
thing she’s not from Africa but when the the when they saw me over there like
the when they saw me over there like
the when they saw me over there like don’t be don’t be smoking that we cuz
don’t be don’t be smoking that we cuz
don’t be don’t be smoking that we cuz she’s over there in that garden you know
she’s over there in that garden you know
she’s over there in that garden you know turn that music down Izzie boom boom
turn that music down Izzie boom boom
turn that music down Izzie boom boom she’s over in that guard don’t do all
she’s over in that guard don’t do all
she’s over in that guard don’t do all that and they’d see me I’m like okay I’m
that and they’d see me I’m like okay I’m
that and they’d see me I’m like okay I’m sweating again I’m moving around like
sweating again I’m moving around like
sweating again I’m moving around like hey you come over here and they like who
hey you come over here and they like who
hey you come over here and they like who me oh yeah come over here cuz they’d sit
me oh yeah come over here cuz they’d sit
me oh yeah come over here cuz they’d sit on that table and they look at me as I
on that table and they look at me as I
on that table and they look at me as I yeah you come over here and he said yes
yeah you come over here and he said yes
yeah you come over here and he said yes ma’am when they talk to start talking
ma’am when they talk to start talking
ma’am when they talk to start talking yes ma’am that’s when you know you got
yes ma’am that’s when you know you got
yes ma’am that’s when you know you got him right he didn’t know me I didn’t
him right he didn’t know me I didn’t
him right he didn’t know me I didn’t know him he’s a yes ma’am I said come
know him he’s a yes ma’am I said come
know him he’s a yes ma’am I said come here hold his hose you ain’t doing
here hold his hose you ain’t doing
here hold his hose you ain’t doing nothing start walking the court held the
nothing start walking the court held the
nothing start walking the court held the hose and after a while I realized I
hose and after a while I realized I
hose and after a while I realized I didn’t hear no bumpety bumpety bumpety I
didn’t hear no bumpety bumpety bumpety I
didn’t hear no bumpety bumpety bumpety I didn’t smell no smoking I didn’t see no
didn’t smell no smoking I didn’t see no
didn’t smell no smoking I didn’t see no activity going and they started to be
activity going and they started to be
activity going and they started to be pulled into the garden they own that
pulled into the garden they own that
pulled into the garden they own that space like you know look how it was
space like you know look how it was
space like you know look how it was pristine it was beautiful
pristine it was beautiful
pristine it was beautiful nothing that’s out of place you know
nothing that’s out of place you know
nothing that’s out of place you know that was their space this is my space we
that was their space this is my space we
that was their space this is my space we respected each other there was no eye
respected each other there was no eye
respected each other there was no eye judging what y’all doing you need to
judging what y’all doing you need to
judging what y’all doing you need to stop none of that
stop none of that
stop none of that so being authentic I still don’t know
so being authentic I still don’t know
so being authentic I still don’t know their names and they don’t know mine but
their names and they don’t know mine but
their names and they don’t know mine but they know how to find me or help me like
they know how to find me or help me like
they know how to find me or help me like that’s you know the woman with that’s
that’s you know the woman with that’s
that’s you know the woman with that’s how they probably did Jamaican or they
how they probably did Jamaican or they
how they probably did Jamaican or they know my husband Wallace said that’s
know my husband Wallace said that’s
know my husband Wallace said that’s Wallace absent woman as Wallace ops girl
Wallace absent woman as Wallace ops girl
Wallace absent woman as Wallace ops girl so as we went on the kids we did all
so as we went on the kids we did all
so as we went on the kids we did all kind of things with the schools we took
kind of things with the schools we took
kind of things with the schools we took to worked with the public school
to worked with the public school
to worked with the public school everybody in that school was poor got
everybody in that school was poor got
everybody in that school was poor got 100% free lunch and they worked on it
100% free lunch and they worked on it
100% free lunch and they worked on it for a few years the mayor came back
for a few years the mayor came back
for a few years the mayor came back because initially our funding was a
because initially our funding was a
because initially our funding was a thousand dollars I think to start it the
thousand dollars I think to start it the
thousand dollars I think to start it the mayor we asked him to come and take some
mayor we asked him to come and take some
mayor we asked him to come and take some pictures and acknowledge and thank him
pictures and acknowledge and thank him
pictures and acknowledge and thank him for his work and it was former mayor
for his work and it was former mayor
for his work and it was former mayor Luke Ravenstahl he came to the school
Luke Ravenstahl he came to the school
Luke Ravenstahl he came to the school that day and the kids had never no one
that day and the kids had never no one
that day and the kids had never no one had visited that school and he was a
had visited that school and he was a
had visited that school and he was a fatigue kind of white guy I think he’s
fatigue kind of white guy I think he’s
fatigue kind of white guy I think he’s Irish I’m not sure real pale and a sea
Irish I’m not sure real pale and a sea
Irish I’m not sure real pale and a sea of black kids came out and they were in
of black kids came out and they were in
of black kids came out and they were in the garden and we have a high population
the garden and we have a high population
the garden and we have a high population of children with special needs
of children with special needs
of children with special needs they stood rounded him all these black
they stood rounded him all these black
they stood rounded him all these black faces of kids all the white teachers
faces of kids all the white teachers
faces of kids all the white teachers engaged wheelchairs in front and he was
engaged wheelchairs in front and he was
engaged wheelchairs in front and he was standing in the middle those kids were
standing in the middle those kids were
standing in the middle those kids were so grateful they made that mayor feel
so grateful they made that mayor feel
so grateful they made that mayor feel like a rockstar and he was like yes this
like a rockstar and he was like yes this
like a rockstar and he was like yes this is what this is how it should be and our
is what this is how it should be and our
is what this is how it should be and our garden received his acclamations and he
garden received his acclamations and he
garden received his acclamations and he we were the model garden for all school
we were the model garden for all school
we were the model garden for all school schoolyard Gardens they use our garden
schoolyard Gardens they use our garden
schoolyard Gardens they use our garden as the model I was so happy and we built
as the model I was so happy and we built
as the model I was so happy and we built up that garden for years and we had
up that garden for years and we had
up that garden for years and we had programming going on we reached out to
programming going on we reached out to
programming going on we reached out to the community we brought in the Y and we
the community we brought in the Y and we
the community we brought in the Y and we had children’s cooking table they would
had children’s cooking table they would
had children’s cooking table they would learn in the garden how to cook and eat
learn in the garden how to cook and eat
learn in the garden how to cook and eat nutritiously and then the garden was
nutritiously and then the garden was
nutritiously and then the garden was pristine it looked like a Garden of Eden
pristine it looked like a Garden of Eden
pristine it looked like a Garden of Eden when you’re trying to do something
when you’re trying to do something
when you’re trying to do something authentic we didn’t put out any
authentic we didn’t put out any
authentic we didn’t put out any words there was no advertising no
words there was no advertising no
words there was no advertising no nothing nobody knew my name I didn’t
nothing nobody knew my name I didn’t
nothing nobody knew my name I didn’t know their name but people excuse me
know their name but people excuse me
know their name but people excuse me people started to tell her story when
people started to tell her story when
people started to tell her story when you’re being authentic
you’re being authentic
you’re being authentic sometimes it cost you one day after five
sometimes it cost you one day after five
sometimes it cost you one day after five years of hard work or sweat equity my
years of hard work or sweat equity my
years of hard work or sweat equity my husband is gone out there five o’clock
husband is gone out there five o’clock
husband is gone out there five o’clock in the morning to cut the grass or what
in the morning to cut the grass or what
in the morning to cut the grass or what have you
have you
have you weeding tending and open son 14 raised
weeding tending and open son 14 raised
weeding tending and open son 14 raised beds program when we got we did not we
beds program when we got we did not we
beds program when we got we did not we do not get funding even to this day we
do not get funding even to this day we
do not get funding even to this day we do it as a service back to the community
do it as a service back to the community
do it as a service back to the community I got a phone call and I’m really
I got a phone call and I’m really
I got a phone call and I’m really totally new they say I’ve been in my
totally new they say I’ve been in my
totally new they say I’ve been in my community for ten years I got a phone
community for ten years I got a phone
community for ten years I got a phone call actually my neighbor got the phone
call actually my neighbor got the phone
call actually my neighbor got the phone call and said Miss Lee said Miss Lisa
call and said Miss Lee said Miss Lisa
call and said Miss Lee said Miss Lisa somebody’s down there in the garden with
somebody’s down there in the garden with
somebody’s down there in the garden with a laundry basket and she got all the
a laundry basket and she got all the
a laundry basket and she got all the tomatoes so and so called me and told
tomatoes so and so called me and told
tomatoes so and so called me and told call Miss Lisa when you’re trying to be
call Miss Lisa when you’re trying to be
call Miss Lisa when you’re trying to be authentic there’s some people that don’t
authentic there’s some people that don’t
authentic there’s some people that don’t understand it’s not about a green tomato
understand it’s not about a green tomato
understand it’s not about a green tomato it’s not about a red tomato
it’s not about a red tomato
it’s not about a red tomato it’s how about we help each other so I
it’s how about we help each other so I
it’s how about we help each other so I kind of upset like all this that we
kind of upset like all this that we
kind of upset like all this that we invest it people just don’t understand
invest it people just don’t understand
invest it people just don’t understand it’s freely there’s no fence so I kind
it’s freely there’s no fence so I kind
it’s freely there’s no fence so I kind of got mad and this is part of being
of got mad and this is part of being
of got mad and this is part of being authentic it happens we moved from that
authentic it happens we moved from that
authentic it happens we moved from that guard and I quit sometimes you get tired
guard and I quit sometimes you get tired
guard and I quit sometimes you get tired and I just quit I had enough five years
and I just quit I had enough five years
and I just quit I had enough five years of my time my labor and my sweat equity
of my time my labor and my sweat equity
of my time my labor and my sweat equity my husband cutting this doing free
my husband cutting this doing free
my husband cutting this doing free program everything was free making these
program everything was free making these
program everything was free making these relationships I just said that’s it I
relationships I just said that’s it I
relationships I just said that’s it I quit everybody covered it this garden
quit everybody covered it this garden
quit everybody covered it this garden anyway because it was always beautiful
anyway because it was always beautiful
anyway because it was always beautiful and I was someone will take it over
and I was someone will take it over
and I was someone will take it over before I could really quit another
before I could really quit another
before I could really quit another position or another location came
position or another location came
position or another location came available and it had a fence and I put a
available and it had a fence and I put a
available and it had a fence and I put a lock on it and we someone said hurt hurt
lock on it and we someone said hurt hurt
lock on it and we someone said hurt hurt about me
about me
about me cuz when you when you’re authentic
cuz when you when you’re authentic
cuz when you when you’re authentic people tell your story when you’re doing
people tell your story when you’re doing
people tell your story when you’re doing it from the heart
it from the heart
it from the heart other people broadcast we never
other people broadcast we never
other people broadcast we never advertise we always think the ones who
advertise we always think the ones who
advertise we always think the ones who helped us in our new garden we have 41
helped us in our new garden we have 41
helped us in our new garden we have 41 raised beds and they’re octagon-shaped
raised beds and they’re octagon-shaped
so many corners and then there’s so many
so many corners and then there’s so many heights so many feet up one feet two
heights so many feet up one feet two
heights so many feet up one feet two feet three feet so it has like an
feet three feet so it has like an
feet three feet so it has like an artistic element to it and I worked at
artistic element to it and I worked at
artistic element to it and I worked at that time I work forty hour week jobs
that time I work forty hour week jobs
that time I work forty hour week jobs most people thought this was my hobby
most people thought this was my hobby
most people thought this was my hobby but again we planted a full farmers
but again we planted a full farmers
but again we planted a full farmers market and it was three
market and it was three
market and it was three we provided community healthy eating
we provided community healthy eating
we provided community healthy eating people we partnered with someone free
people we partnered with someone free
people we partnered with someone free they came out and cooked healthy meals
they came out and cooked healthy meals
they came out and cooked healthy meals and taught us how to cook and then gave
and taught us how to cook and then gave
and taught us how to cook and then gave the families who participated the full
the families who participated the full
the families who participated the full meal and recipe to go home and cook for
meal and recipe to go home and cook for
meal and recipe to go home and cook for their children we had some of these
their children we had some of these
their children we had some of these gentlemen are my neighbors and they had
gentlemen are my neighbors and they had
gentlemen are my neighbors and they had their little band that they came
their little band that they came
their little band that they came together we have community events we
together we have community events we
together we have community events we have celebrations we had a Jamaican and
have celebrations we had a Jamaican and
have celebrations we had a Jamaican and we had a Rasta van we had light night
we had a Rasta van we had light night
we had a Rasta van we had light night out we had the police we had we partner
out we had the police we had we partner
out we had the police we had we partner that’s how we work and and we partner
that’s how we work and and we partner
that’s how we work and and we partner and one story that I just want to make
and one story that I just want to make
and one story that I just want to make sure I don’t forget being authentic
sure I don’t forget being authentic
sure I don’t forget being authentic sometimes what caught whoa cost you and
sometimes what caught whoa cost you and
sometimes what caught whoa cost you and when you call yourself authentic I’m
when you call yourself authentic I’m
when you call yourself authentic I’m getting a little head I’ll wait a little
getting a little head I’ll wait a little
getting a little head I’ll wait a little bit this is my friend Kenneth and
bit this is my friend Kenneth and
bit this is my friend Kenneth and Kenneth has some challenges and kids
Kenneth has some challenges and kids
Kenneth has some challenges and kids just love coming to the garden when I
just love coming to the garden when I
just love coming to the garden when I open those doors to the gate people just
open those doors to the gate people just
open those doors to the gate people just come in
come in
come in Kenneth came in Kenneth just wanted to
Kenneth came in Kenneth just wanted to
Kenneth came in Kenneth just wanted to plant basil my bouquet couldn’t plant
plant basil my bouquet couldn’t plant
plant basil my bouquet couldn’t plant your basil because miss Lisa I love
your basil because miss Lisa I love
your basil because miss Lisa I love pesto and we got to have some pesto I
pesto and we got to have some pesto I
pesto and we got to have some pesto I want my own pesto Kenneth came in and
want my own pesto Kenneth came in and
want my own pesto Kenneth came in and planned his pesto and he brought another
planned his pesto and he brought another
planned his pesto and he brought another friend and then that friend bought
friend and then that friend bought
friend and then that friend bought another friend and it was time to
another friend and it was time to
another friend and it was time to harvest pesto
harvest pesto
harvest pesto Kenneth’s made the pesto and there a
Kenneth’s made the pesto and there a
Kenneth’s made the pesto and there a friend came and wrote an article they
friend came and wrote an article they
friend came and wrote an article they became a support group and published
became a support group and published
became a support group and published several articles about the health and
several articles about the health and
several articles about the health and the benefits of this garden that article
the benefits of this garden that article
the benefits of this garden that article brought more attention now again we
brought more attention now again we
brought more attention now again we don’t broadcast we’re being truly
don’t broadcast we’re being truly
don’t broadcast we’re being truly authentic whoever so whoever so lil
authentic whoever so whoever so lil
authentic whoever so whoever so lil comes in where we’re located at it’s a
comes in where we’re located at it’s a
comes in where we’re located at it’s a bus stop and
bus stop and
bus stop and pregnant addicted women have to go and
pregnant addicted women have to go and
pregnant addicted women have to go and get methadone treatment and that bus
get methadone treatment and that bus
get methadone treatment and that bus stop is right outside our fence when the
stop is right outside our fence when the
stop is right outside our fence when the fence is open they just naturally come
fence is open they just naturally come
fence is open they just naturally come in I’m not doing any therapeutic
in I’m not doing any therapeutic
in I’m not doing any therapeutic counseling I’m not doing my MSW my let
counseling I’m not doing my MSW my let
counseling I’m not doing my MSW my let me talk about how political or let me
me talk about how political or let me
me talk about how political or let me tell you how that we’re just talking I
tell you how that we’re just talking I
tell you how that we’re just talking I see you you see me I don’t know their
see you you see me I don’t know their
see you you see me I don’t know their names they don’t know mine they know me
names they don’t know mine they know me
names they don’t know mine they know me by the hair and the one this is two
by the hair and the one this is two
by the hair and the one this is two story one lady like I didn’t ask her
story one lady like I didn’t ask her
story one lady like I didn’t ask her where but I know there’s pregnant women
where but I know there’s pregnant women
where but I know there’s pregnant women there she says I just want to come in I
there she says I just want to come in I
there she says I just want to come in I want to come in I just I just need to be
want to come in I just I just need to be
want to come in I just I just need to be by the dirt like oh this is so beautiful
by the dirt like oh this is so beautiful
by the dirt like oh this is so beautiful and it’s so calming and there’s just
and it’s so calming and there’s just
and it’s so calming and there’s just being her and this oh the plants are so
being her and this oh the plants are so
being her and this oh the plants are so luscious just me and her and then she
luscious just me and her and then she
luscious just me and her and then she begins to eat the dirt oh I just love
begins to eat the dirt oh I just love
begins to eat the dirt oh I just love dirt there are some things where when
dirt there are some things where when
dirt there are some things where when you’re pregnant you eat kind of strange
you’re pregnant you eat kind of strange
you’re pregnant you eat kind of strange things but she started eating the dirt
things but she started eating the dirt
things but she started eating the dirt I’m looking at all right please don’t
I’m looking at all right please don’t
I’m looking at all right please don’t eat that dirt but I just need that dirt
eat that dirt but I just need that dirt
eat that dirt but I just need that dirt she’s got mud all over her face like
she’s got mud all over her face like
she’s got mud all over her face like please don’t eat that dirt but I just
please don’t eat that dirt but I just
please don’t eat that dirt but I just need this dirt like oh god I’m over my
need this dirt like oh god I’m over my
need this dirt like oh god I’m over my head with this one all right please
head with this one all right please
head with this one all right please don’t eat that dirt because more likely
don’t eat that dirt because more likely
don’t eat that dirt because more likely this cow manure in there and we start
this cow manure in there and we start
this cow manure in there and we start talking about real issues and you know
talking about real issues and you know
talking about real issues and you know like okay like you need your children
like okay like you need your children
like okay like you need your children people are methadone and their support
people are methadone and their support
people are methadone and their support systems are broken they don’t have
systems are broken they don’t have
systems are broken they don’t have family support soon that’s why methadone
family support soon that’s why methadone
family support soon that’s why methadone treatment goes on it’s not meant to cure
treatment goes on it’s not meant to cure
treatment goes on it’s not meant to cure it just sustains people the people my
it just sustains people the people my
it just sustains people the people my authenticity I see you people on the
authenticity I see you people on the
authenticity I see you people on the margins are badass kids I lovingly call
margins are badass kids I lovingly call
margins are badass kids I lovingly call them that with the ankle bracelets there
them that with the ankle bracelets there
them that with the ankle bracelets there there we sit there we talk my husband
there we sit there we talk my husband
there we sit there we talk my husband and I were Ward and Lisa we had the
and I were Ward and Lisa we had the
and I were Ward and Lisa we had the grown men from the penn state
grown men from the penn state
grown men from the penn state correctional penn state the state
correctional penn state the state
correctional penn state the state correctional office
correctional office
correctional office grown men i was warden lisa on the
grown men i was warden lisa on the
grown men i was warden lisa on the weekend I had to keep them in line I was
weekend I had to keep them in line I was
weekend I had to keep them in line I was there like okay I’m getting off track
there like okay I’m getting off track
there like okay I’m getting off track back to my family when you start doing
back to my family when you start doing
back to my family when you start doing things authentic people recognize you we
things authentic people recognize you we
things authentic people recognize you we talked about the weed smoking mr. Willie
talked about the weed smoking mr. Willie
talked about the weed smoking mr. Willie Nelson himself and I didn’t even know
Nelson himself and I didn’t even know
Nelson himself and I didn’t even know that mr. marijuana man himself called me
that mr. marijuana man himself called me
that mr. marijuana man himself called me and said oh I want you to present with
and said oh I want you to present with
and said oh I want you to present with me and for me
me and for me
me and for me 2017 me how do you even know me someone
2017 me how do you even know me someone
2017 me how do you even know me someone had given me given him my contact Who am
had given me given him my contact Who am
had given me given him my contact Who am I I’m just playing in the dirt so that
I I’m just playing in the dirt so that
I I’m just playing in the dirt so that marijuana people smoking weed I went to
marijuana people smoking weed I went to
marijuana people smoking weed I went to the top of the line and he baptized me
the top of the line and he baptized me
the top of the line and he baptized me as an urban farmer and now I am somebody
as an urban farmer and now I am somebody
as an urban farmer and now I am somebody and here I actually am somebody put it
and here I actually am somebody put it
and here I actually am somebody put it out there I didn’t put it out there now
out there I didn’t put it out there now
out there I didn’t put it out there now when you’re a badass and when you’re
when you’re a badass and when you’re
when you’re a badass and when you’re authentic you start to move into a place
authentic you start to move into a place
authentic you start to move into a place where it’s not what your job is it’s not
where it’s not what your job is it’s not
where it’s not what your job is it’s not to be seen nobody knows you but it’s a
to be seen nobody knows you but it’s a
to be seen nobody knows you but it’s a spiritual thing and some things that
spiritual thing and some things that
spiritual thing and some things that you’re doing inside of yourself and
you’re doing inside of yourself and
you’re doing inside of yourself and everybody here has some gifts some
everybody here has some gifts some
everybody here has some gifts some talents and most people don’t even know
talents and most people don’t even know
talents and most people don’t even know what those gifts and talents are only
what those gifts and talents are only
what those gifts and talents are only you and you only do it that’s you know
you and you only do it that’s you know
you and you only do it that’s you know you do it but think about that and this
you do it but think about that and this
you do it but think about that and this is where you get bold and you come up
is where you get bold and you come up
is where you get bold and you come up with big dreams this was a dream a
with big dreams this was a dream a
with big dreams this was a dream a building I bought this building because
building I bought this building because
building I bought this building because I wanted it for some children who are
I wanted it for some children who are
I wanted it for some children who are autistic so they could be in a place
autistic so they could be in a place
autistic so they could be in a place that would had four walls and it could
that would had four walls and it could
that would had four walls and it could be you safe for them to be out to play
be you safe for them to be out to play
be you safe for them to be out to play but the building had did a slow rot for
but the building had did a slow rot for
but the building had did a slow rot for 10 years and we couldn’t save it this
10 years and we couldn’t save it this
10 years and we couldn’t save it this building I post it because it’s 10,000
building I post it because it’s 10,000
building I post it because it’s 10,000 square feet and it was the biggest piece
square feet and it was the biggest piece
square feet and it was the biggest piece of blight where I lived
of blight where I lived
of blight where I lived I had my intensional thought was you
I had my intensional thought was you
I had my intensional thought was you know I’ll just kind of refigure it
know I’ll just kind of refigure it
know I’ll just kind of refigure it because um you know I like to save
because um you know I like to save
because um you know I like to save things and I just couldn’t save it and
things and I just couldn’t save it and
things and I just couldn’t save it and then I I don’t know what to do this is a
then I I don’t know what to do this is a
then I I don’t know what to do this is a fire truck if it went up I’m gonna be
fire truck if it went up I’m gonna be
fire truck if it went up I’m gonna be responsible somebody can get hurt this
responsible somebody can get hurt this
responsible somebody can get hurt this picture just threw relationships
picture just threw relationships
picture just threw relationships I made one call never met the person and
I made one call never met the person and
I made one call never met the person and I have to call their names out today
I have to call their names out today
I have to call their names out today mystic construction
mystic construction
mystic construction Job Corps of Allegheny County came and
Job Corps of Allegheny County came and
Job Corps of Allegheny County came and said Miss Lisa I’ll help you I’ve never
said Miss Lisa I’ll help you I’ve never
said Miss Lisa I’ll help you I’ve never met the people or job corps in passing
met the people or job corps in passing
met the people or job corps in passing like oh yeah we could do that we bring
like oh yeah we could do that we bring
like oh yeah we could do that we bring our kids out there we’ll do that
our kids out there we’ll do that
our kids out there we’ll do that and we had to cut through a lot of
and we had to cut through a lot of
and we had to cut through a lot of bureaucracy because things wasn’t
bureaucracy because things wasn’t
bureaucracy because things wasn’t working this is me young man he said I
working this is me young man he said I
working this is me young man he said I don’t know how we’re going to get to
don’t know how we’re going to get to
don’t know how we’re going to get to this we’re almost at the end but we got
this we’re almost at the end but we got
this we’re almost at the end but we got this one hang up that’s one person a
this one hang up that’s one person a
this one hang up that’s one person a black man probably younger than me we
black man probably younger than me we
black man probably younger than me we met in the office and he said he put his
met in the office and he said he put his
met in the office and he said he put his contracting license his bread-and-butter
contracting license his bread-and-butter
contracting license his bread-and-butter his livelihood his children’s future on
his livelihood his children’s future on
his livelihood his children’s future on stake on the line for me I had not ever
stake on the line for me I had not ever
stake on the line for me I had not ever met him in my life oh I’ll do this for
met him in my life oh I’ll do this for
met him in my life oh I’ll do this for you
you
you yes ma’am again when you hear that yes
yes ma’am again when you hear that yes
yes ma’am again when you hear that yes ma’am yes ma’am if anything would have
ma’am yes ma’am if anything would have
ma’am yes ma’am if anything would have went wrong that man would have been out
went wrong that man would have been out
went wrong that man would have been out of business his whole life would have
of business his whole life would have
of business his whole life would have been over but he said yes ma’am we I
been over but he said yes ma’am we I
been over but he said yes ma’am we I hear your mission I know what you’re
hear your mission I know what you’re
hear your mission I know what you’re talking about yes ma’am I’ll do that for
talking about yes ma’am I’ll do that for
talking about yes ma’am I’ll do that for you
you
you so today thank you to them people who
so today thank you to them people who
so today thank you to them people who are CENTAC my last slide building
are CENTAC my last slide building
are CENTAC my last slide building authentic relationships if you’re
authentic relationships if you’re
authentic relationships if you’re looking at the word authentic look at it
looking at the word authentic look at it
looking at the word authentic look at it cuz I’m learning now I’m grandma here
cuz I’m learning now I’m grandma here
cuz I’m learning now I’m grandma here and thank God I made it through the
and thank God I made it through the
and thank God I made it through the slide that I’m over time look at the
slide that I’m over time look at the
slide that I’m over time look at the word authentic au th en TI authentic you
word authentic au th en TI authentic you
word authentic au th en TI authentic you have to look at the eye because in order
have to look at the eye because in order
have to look at the eye because in order to be authentic you yourself it has to
to be authentic you yourself it has to
to be authentic you yourself it has to start with you your gifts and your
start with you your gifts and your
start with you your gifts and your talents they start with you those things
talents they start with you those things
talents they start with you those things that you’re doing and in secret those
that you’re doing and in secret those
that you’re doing and in secret those things that bring you joy that’s what
things that bring you joy that’s what
things that bring you joy that’s what you should be doing not to make money
you should be doing not to make money
you should be doing not to make money but to be authentic and to do something
but to be authentic and to do something
but to be authentic and to do something wonderful and courageous and when you
wonderful and courageous and when you
wonderful and courageous and when you start doing your authentic thing things
start doing your authentic thing things
start doing your authentic thing things just happen people recognize you you
just happen people recognize you you
just happen people recognize you you don’t have to promote it
don’t have to promote it
don’t have to promote it we’re not that I is not authentic and
we’re not that I is not authentic and
we’re not that I is not authentic and where it’s located don’t wait until you
where it’s located don’t wait until you
where it’s located don’t wait until you get to my age in life do this early be
get to my age in life do this early be
get to my age in life do this early be bad be bold have big thoughts have big
bad be bold have big thoughts have big
bad be bold have big thoughts have big dreams do it conquer it because you our
dreams do it conquer it because you our
dreams do it conquer it because you our younger generation is
younger generation is
younger generation is what is going to change our future my
what is going to change our future my
what is going to change our future my name is Lisa Freeman and I proudly am a
name is Lisa Freeman and I proudly am a
name is Lisa Freeman and I proudly am a badass social worker
badass social worker
badass social worker [Applause]
”
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