Planting the seed of community hope

FAIRBORN, Ohio (WDTN) - By:  Amanda Crowe, Fairborn Daily Herald

Some local residents are hoping to make a difference in their community with the introduction of their new non-profit organization Seedhouse Community Group.

Aaron Whitfield and his wife Courtney, along with two friends from college, are starting a faith-based organization to help bring people throughout Greene County together through the arts, gardening and community activities.

"Fairborn is a place rich in culture, history and family, that is just experiencing some trying times in this current economic climate," Whitfield said. "It has affected all of us. My wife and I are both unemployed. We know what it's like, we have been down that road. So we hope to bring some smiles to some faces in the community."

With a background in writing and ministry, Whitfield hopes to do some projects involving the arts, mixed values to restore the spiritual health of Greene County families. Fairborn and Xenia are the main two areas they will be focusing on, but they would like to expand into Beavercreek, Yellow Springs, and possibly Cedarville in the future.

Seedhouse Community Group's first major project, which they have written grant proposals for, is a community gardening project.

"We would like to start at senior centers or nursing homes, because gardening can be a great rehabilitation tool," Whitfiled said. "We want to teach the old and young about the meaningful process of sowing and reaping."

They hope to get the community youth involved to clean up schools and abandoned properties across Greene County.

"I know driving through Xenia, there are some neighborhoods where there might be 30-40 abandoned properties, and these can get to be an eye sore. We want to revitalize the natural beauty that is already here," Whitfield added.

Another project will be the Greene Bike program, in which they will gather people and families together to take bike rides to different local places.

"We to bring back those values of friends, family and fun," said Whitfield, who also hopes to hold panel discussions on topics such as marriage as well as business seminars.

"We want to teach people to pursue their dreams and passions," he added.

In Feb. 2011, the Whitfields began rehabbing the building at 302 East Main St., with the help of James and Shantae Korff. The four met while attending Central State University. The Whitfields moved to Fairborn from Beavercreek in Nov. 2011. Aaron, who is originally from Springfield, has lived in the area since he was eight. James grew up in Pittsburg and Shantae came from Toledo.

The friends have all settle in Fairborn.

"Towns like this have a certain charm," said Whitfield.

The group has put a lot of elbow grease and tender loving care into their facility, which was vacant for four years prior. Every penny has come from their own pockets. Whitfield was previously the Assistant Director of Admissions for a fashion and culinary school before he lost his job within two weeks of his wife losing hers.

Courtney, who is a chemist, now has her own skincare line called Cegullah. James Kroff owns a production company called Mow Pheth and his wife Shantae operates her own day care in Fairborn.

"We have kind of put all of our passions together," said Whitfield. "We just want to let people know that we're here being part of the community. We all struggle together and work through it because we're a tight-knit community. This is just another space where we can grow together."

In late February or early March, the group hopes to hold an open house to introduce their organization to the community and get local businesses involved. They would like to share what they hope to do and form partnerships with other organizations.

"We'd love to work with anyone who has a heart for this community and a heart for change," Whitfield added. "We're hoping to be a different support group that can make a change in other peoples' lives."

For more information about Seedhouse Community Group, call 937-831-0606.