Seven years ago, our first KCC fundraising hoodie featured a labyrinth that didn't exist, was an IDEA. It was an image of something we imagined could become real if enough people believed in what we were building. And you did! The proceeds from that first hoodie fundraiser helped us build our labyrinth in 2021, and every labyrinth shirt since then has featured OUR actual labyrinth.
Since then, we've continued growing the Sterling Street Sanctuary and Nature Reserve, weaving together gardens, healing arts, cultural humility education, food distribution, and community celebrations. Each new addition builds on what came before, creating more opportunities to connect, learn, heal, and practice community.
And now we're inviting you to help us do it again!
This June, young people from Heads Up Hartford spent a week with us imagining what our future Pansy Garden could become. Their IDEAS and gifts and talents created the image on these shirts and sweatshirts. Just like that first labyrinth hoodie, we're inviting you to wear something that doesn't exist yet and help make it real!
Our Pansy Garden will be a permanent, visible celebration of Black Queer life, with flowers, art, and welcoming spaces for conversations about identity, belonging, healing, solidarity and just plain talk.
We weren't able to raise the funds to build it in 2026, but we're hoping to bring it to life in spring 2027.
Ruha Benjamin reminds us to "imagine and craft the worlds we cannot live without." We Care for We means taking responsibility for creating the spaces, relationships, and experiences we want future generations to inherit. This fundraiser is one more opportunity to demonstrate what those words mean through our actions.
Everyone who buys a shirt will have their name displayed on our 2027 Pansy Garden Banner, recognizing the people who helped turn this IDEA into reality. Someday, we hope to replace this imagined garden with a picture of the REAL one we built together, just as we did with our labyrinth.
We've already shown what we can build together. Now we're inviting you to become part of the next chapter!
Wear the IDEA. Help us grow the REALITY. Become part of the story!
Supporters
KCC grows in an organic and meaningful way. Each project has in some way created and nurtured community. I am happy to contribute AND to get a beautiful T-shirt designed by young people who are, of course, essential to the community’s continuation.