Turn Around Columbus is a process, not a program. As a process, we are able to quickly act to adapt and dissolve issues. Using our approach of opposite thinking and action research, we start turning problems in opportunities.
Get Involved
“Our very survival depends on our ability to stay awake, to adjust to new ideas, to remain vigilant and face the challenge to change.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
TAC’s Approach
Turn Around Columbus is a process not a program. As a process we are able to quickly adapt to changes and dissolve problems. Using a systems approach of opposite taking and action research turns problems into opportunities.
At its simplest Action research focuses on repeating a 3 step process:
- Plan the Act
- Evaluate the Action Plan
- Complete our Action
- Evaluate the results
This enables us to keep what’s working and change what’s not. Our adapt or die mission mentality can empower and inspire folks to join together to create collaborative action, innovation, and a shared vision for a new future.
Our Outreach
Wage Peace
We are striving, in the spirit of George Washington Carver, to create a modern day version of Carver’s and Tuskegee’s Movable School, training neighbors and neighborhoods how to set up victory gardens in vacant lots, backyards and any open space. This would serve 4 purposes: increasing affordable fresh vegetables, creating a deterrent to drug trafficking, crime and violence; empower and the neighbors waging peace program.
“TAC’s I AM SOMEBODY CURRICULUM & GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER’ 8 CARDINAL VIRTUES”
TAC students are learning self respect, empathy, confidence, and peace building skills through gardening, agricultural and entrepreneurship training. This is reinforced with TAC’s You Are Somebody Curriculum and George Washington Carver’s “8 Cardinal Virtues” to help them become their best selves.
- Be clean both inside and out.
- Neither look up to the rich or down on the poor.
- Lose, if need be, without squealing.
- 4. Win without bragging.
- Always be considerate of women, children and older people.
- Be too brave to lie.
- Be too generous to cheat.
- Take you share of the world and let others take theirs.
“May God help you carry out these eight cardinal virtues and peace and prosperity by yours through life.”
Bringing Back Victory Gardens
To fight climate warming, battle food deserts,, and combat food insecurity. A Victory Garden can also create positive visible activity reducing community violence. “Planting a garden has the power to change the world. From right in your backyard (or front, or patio, or simple pot), you have the ability to strengthen your own local food system. And, making your garden regenerative, you also help reverse global warming by restoring soil health.”
Join The Fight, Join The Kids, Let’s Make History Together!
From the poem “Equipment“
(G. W. Carver’s favorite by Edgar A. Guest)
“Courage must come from the soul within,
The man must furnish the will to win.
So figure it out for, my lad.
You were born with all that the great have had,
With your equipment they all began,
Get hold of yourself and say: I can!”
Experience Unique Opportunities
See what they’re saying.
What we have learned being at the garden : for starters it gets you outside. The fresh air and sunshine are very good for your mood and health while being surrounded by nature. It can help you feel calmer. It also provides a chance to exercise at any level-whether it’s just bending down to plant some seeds or doing light weeding in the garden bed. We also learned that I know that since being here, My blood pressure has decreased and I’ve lost over 20 pounds so far. We learned that Gardening can help you with Math From counting seeds, measuring soil and seed depth with your fingers, or simply measuring the distance between seeds for planting, you are using math.
Volunteer
TAC Columbus“I was overwhelmed at the reception and warmth of the people. Thank you. And thank you for allowing me to see firsthand your innovative efforts to build peace, stopping violence and creating hope and opportunity for youth. I am inspired by TAC’s George Washington Carver Victory Garden and Farm and by the amazing job the youth Hope Dealers have done. I’m excited to share your Hope Dealers idea using youth entrepreneurship and agricultural training to build peace and address our common problems of drugs, violence and crime. My hope is for us to continue to learn from each other. To that end I’d like to offer to share some of our rich history and culture with your students.”
Joseph Jallah
Liberia Senator“I am 14 years old and attend Kendrick High School. I am employed at Victory Farm & Garden as a Hope Dealer. Some of my tasks are preparing the plant beds, planting, watering, and help deliver the produce to the community. I have been working with the farm for 2 years and I look forward to continuing working on the farm. The farm has taught me a lot about agriculture. I’ve learned how to plant, when to plant, and when to harvest. The farm is very valuable as it teaches a lot more than just agriculture, like time management, working with others, and work ethics. I have learned so much from the garden and have taken it into the real world. I am excited to continue working at the garden and the future of the garden.”