Square Roots Collective

Square Roots Collective aims at a holistic, collaborative, place-based approach to systemic improvements in the communities in our region. There are some great thinkers and doers whose work, thinking, and vision stretch our imaginations and inspire us to keep pressing forward. We were delighted to put our heads together recently with Josh Yates from Belmont Innovation Labs in Nashville and Bryce Butler from Access Ventures in Louisville and hear about their ideas and projects. Among them, Access Ventures just announced their First Dollar Initiative to help minority entrepreneurs get a foothold. Belmont is bringing community organizations together to innovate around foster care, especially for those aging out of the system. Check out these great orgs: accessventures.org and https://lnkd.in/eBamnS4E.

More than a dozen states - both red and blue states - have passed legislation reducing barriers to the development of accessory dwelling units ("ADUs"), a well documented first step in addressing the national housing crisis. Pennsylvania being a commonwealth state, such decisions are currently in the hands of 2,560 municipalities. With the growth of hybrid work and high interest rates, our small community at the distant edges of Philadelphia is one facing a housing shortage - there are only three houses on the market in our town at present and prices are unattainably high for most. With this in mind, I am delighted to share that Kennett Borough voted 4-2 to advance a change in law that will enable ADUs. Still, it shouldn't have been so difficult - it took over 18 months and a lot of community handwringing. I would love to see Pennsylvania's legislature, with a push from Pennsylvania's governor (Josh Shapiro), join over 1/4 of all US states in setting statewide standards enabling ADUs. While there is no silver bullet to solving the country's housing crisis, there is no fruit that hangs lower on the tree. And after that, let's set standards for minimum parking requirements, which often serve as the binding constraint on new housing development. Importantly, each of these changes can advance the cause of housing affordability without a budgetary impact.

Today is the start of a new professional chapter: I'm excited to join the team at Square Roots Collective and work for the good of my beloved town, Kennett Square! It has been a joy and a privilege to be part of the Praxis team for the past several years. I have loved working alongside a truly stellar group of people, getting to know this vibrant community, and learning from folks like Scott Kauffmann, Andy Crouch, and Dave Blanchard. This past spring, I experienced a highlight of my career in producing a feature about Michael Bontrager that we premiered at the Praxis Summit (https://lnkd.in/e-PY7dtN). I snapped this photo from the back of the room, and I remember how humbled and grateful I felt to share this story with this group of people, and then the world. It still gets me. And now, I get to collaborate with Luke Zubrod, Stephanie A., and the rest of the SRC team in pursuit of a vision where everyone in our town can thrive. I'm ready to get started!

I'm just three months into my new role as ED of Voices Underground (VU). Along with it's strategic partners Lincoln University, Longwood Gardens, and Square Roots Collective's support, VU is poised to have a local and national impact. It's right where I belong! I'm grateful for the opportunity to push forward VU's mission to promote racial healing through storytelling in 2025 and beyond! https://lnkd.in/gJngrsUq

We’re excited to showcase our TurningArtists who contributed to our collaboration with boutique hotel Artelo and Square Roots Collective. Located in Kennett Square, PA, Artelo features 14 guest rooms with original artwork by regional talent, including twelve artists from TurningArt. Artelo offers a unique stay with captivating artwork that tells personal stories, all while supporting community initiatives - like housing families - through Family Promise of Southern Chester County. To read the full interview and to learn more about our TurningArtists, visit the link below: https://hubs.la/Q02JyCnK0

In this episode, Dan & Nick make A Place in the Conversation for Luke Zubrod and Burt Rothenberger to discuss Housing Affordability.

This week at our Praxis Summit, I had the pleasure of releasing my favorite thing I've ever written: this profile about Michael Bontrager. Just about 10 years ago, I started working for him at Chatham Financial, and although our paths have brought us to different spots, I'm grateful to be his friend and tell this story. It was also a joy to interview Stephanie A., Luke Zubrod, Dave Hall, sandra mulry, and Christina Norland for this piece. Big thanks to Jono Eshleman and Nathan Clarke (and others) for video production!

Housing is too expensive, but it doesn't have to be. Municipalities & states around the country - in blue places and red ones too - are relaxing the rules that make it so. As I prepare to walk my daughter down the aisle, I invite my town to make changes that would allow her and her soon-husband to afford living in the place they grew up in. (care of Chester County Press)

Thank you for joining us out tonight at The Creamery of Kennett Square and learning more about Square Roots Collective a collection of social enterprises that join in advancing our community toward an ecosystem in which everyone can thrive. This includes for-profit businesses, non-profit ventures, formal and informal partnerships and associations with likeminded organizations – all united by a commitment to the holistic thriving of Kennett Square. Did you know that the Creamery is the for profit business that feeds into the non profit mission of Square Roots Collective? Learn more about the Creamery of Kennett Square: https://lnkd.in/efez65jN Learn more about Square Roots Collective: https://ksqroots.com