Idea Incubation

The Center has come to be home to an incredible range of activities.  Each vastly different each connected by a common goal: empowerment for the individuals involved and to bring something positive into the community.

Cottage Industry

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 Mustard Seeds Sower Farm fostered Fertaly's From the Wood Apothecary Shoppe during the winter market season.  As a hobbyist for a number of years, Orlan Mayes' mentorship was the missing piece of this journey to entrepreneurship.  Find Orlan at the Carbondale Farmer's Market on Saturdays until Noon in Westown Center, Carbondale, Illinois.  

​Kate Heist, also with Women for Change, is bringing sewing instruction to The Center.  The mission is to empower interested people with a marketable skill and the capacity to make and sell their own products.

Jahi endeavors to one day own and operate a successful barbershop.  In short order, he will be able to perform those services right from The Center.  

A Solar Tree Forest.................................................
One path to Community Solar in the Dale

Bernie Henneberger brought solar to The Center.  He had already begun construction on the first Solar Tree in Southern Illinois.  His passion for solar led The Center through a grant application that would provide for workforce development training opportunities and pathways to employment in the field of solar.  In the short months, following the failed grant application The Center is proud to announce the completion of a second Solar Tree in Carbondale in the next short weeks.  Fabrication of the tree has hosted a range of volunteers....some teaching and some learning new skills.  Thanks for all your hard work.  

​“The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson