Hi there. I'm Lindsey, the founder of Shared, a community building nonprofit rooted in creative hobbies. Since October we've been connecting with makers, boosting small businesses, and creating environments where people from diverse backgrounds and interests can support and inspire each other. We want to deepen our impact with a community hub in Germantown, MD where we will have a physical workshop for creative classes and work space, studio rentals, and space we'll lease out to day care providers and a grocer.

By bringing these essential elements together, we can truly build a place people will enjoy aside from home and work. Imagine a typical day where you can drop off the kids with their daycare provider and head to work, then after work pop into the workshop for a creative boost and time with friends before you grab some groceries and pick up your kids to head home. Now imagine that because this is all in a center run by a nonprofit, the child care costs are more affordable, the market has essentials and fresh options steps away from your child care, and at the heart of this space, a vibrant and inviting workshop bringing joy to the community.

We believe that with access to shared resources, equipment, guides experienced in a wide variety of disciplines, and a welcoming environment, people will come together in a way that builds joy and connection. Time and again, we've heard how desperately people want third spaces where they can come as they are, spend time with others without pressure or a set agenda. Shared intends to be just that.

Even better- Shared is intentionally inclusive and treasures diversity. I am a bisexual, female, single parent working full time to make this dream a reality. The Board of Directors for Shared is a diverse group of people with their own points of advocacy from accommodating differently abled people and supporting mental health to social justice and LGBT rights.

When Shared builds its workshop, these values will be directly represented. The space will be outfitted with not just resources to engage in hobbies, but with various accommodations, mobility aids, and considerations to be welcoming to all. People have already recommended some features we've integrated into the development plan, such as gender inclusive single occupancy restrooms to activity/inspiration prompts in a gumball machine!

To do all of this, we need to raise the funds for a commercial mortgage. There are so many phases of growth we have in mind, but to even get started we have to take that first step. To break ground and build something amazing, with your help. Your funds will go directly toward our purchase of land and building construction for our workshop, day care, and grocer here in Germantown, Maryland.

Thank you for your support. You are going to change lives.

-Lindsey