Planting the Vision, Growing the Village
This year at Kintsugi Village has been nothing short of extraordinary. What began as sketches, conversations, and big dreams slowly transformed—month by month—into spaces filled with laughter, learning, creativity, and community. From breaking ground to opening our school doors, from neighborhood meetings to tiny hands planting tiny forests, each step was built with intention and heart. Here’s a look back at the moments that shaped our very first year together.
January – Designing the Dream
January was the month of design marathons and many, many samples. Picture tables covered in flooring swatches, lighting diagrams pinned everywhere, and several conversations about the placement of things.
We made enough building selections to last a lifetime…or at least a very large Village.
February – Building the Foundation for Kintsugi Village School
February was full of community voices. We kicked off our own neighborhood meetings — where we heard everything from heartfelt hopes to brilliant practical suggestions (and a few jokes we’re still laughing about).
We also launched our website, officially announcing to the world: “We’re doing this!” and “no turning back😬.”
March – Breaking Ground
March brought the moment we’d been waiting for — a construction site! Dirt piles! Machinery! Progress! Mayor Duggan + hundreds of neighbors & supporters!
We also met artist Freddy Diaz, who immediately started dreaming in color. Little did we know he’d later paint a mural that makes everyone who sees it smile.
April – Furniture, Fixtures & First Tours
April was all about imagining how people would move, sit, eat, create, nap (especially nap), and gather in our spaces.
Hard hat tours began, and we loved watching visitors’ faces light up as they stepped inside and said some version of, “Oh wow… it’s happening!”
May – Building Our Board
May brought a big milestone — assembling our board. A group of thoughtful, wise and wonderfully curious people who are helping steer this very big ship with a lot of heart. We continue the search for great folks…
June – Community, Coverage & Connections
June had big energy. We hosted more community meetings, led more hard hat tours, and even got some fun news coverage.
We also held our first parent meet & greet. Watching families connect for the first time felt like seeing the Village come to life right in front of us.
July – Dreaming the Outdoor Oasis
In July, we teamed up with Brightside Collective to imagine our outdoor oasis. Think: tiny hands exploring nature, quiet corners for reflection, shady spots for stories and a whole lot of green.
If July had a soundtrack, it would be the scribbling of markers on big sheets of paper while everyone said, “Yes — and what if we also…?”
August – A Quiet-but-Mighty Month
August might not have had big announcements, but behind the scenes it was full steam ahead.
Every well-run fall begins with a quiet August — the kind where construction crews, spreadsheets, and donuts do most of the talking.
September – Pathways, Plantings & Big Moments
September was huge. Kintsugi Pathways began to take physical shape.
We also became a stop on Detroit Homecoming — the perfect moment to show the city what we’ve been building together.
And thanks to SUGi, LifeTime Foundation and Brightside Collective, Detroit’s first pocket forest was planted! A miniature ecosystem of future shade, peace, and kid discoveries.
Our first team and board retreats brought clarity, laughter, and a few breakthroughs.
October – Opening Our Doors
October was the month that stole our hearts.
We opened Kintsugi Village School. We welcomed families. Teachers settled in. Kiddos explored rooms that had only been drawn a few months earlier.
One week in, every child took a nap at the same time — which felt like a scientific miracle and a sign that we were absolutely on the right path.
November – Growing Community
November brought new students, new routines, and a deeper sense of community.
We built our first garden beds (shout-out to everyone who showed up with gloves and enthusiasm).
And we hosted our first parent open house, where we listened and shared together. Real-time feedback from the people who matter most.
December – Gratitude, Joy & A Much-Deserved Rest
And here we are in December — a month of deep gratitude for every partner, neighbor, artist, family member, child and team member who helped shape this Village.
We’re ending the year with full hearts and a warm invitation for everyone to rest. After all, even Villages need a winter nap.
