Testimonials

The orchard has helped transform our space completely! I don't think you would recognize the place! The Art barn, which was just created before the trees arrived, is now a vibrant community activity center. The garden has a way of drawing people, animals, and so many bugs, birds, and butterflies.”
- Lynn Okun, Director, Westside Cultural Center, Ventura

"I send my sincere thanks to the people of Common Vision.  I can't imagine better role models for our children."
Goli Saba,  Parent and Garden Coordinator at Language Academy, Sacramento

“We also had a wonderful time. Thank you for coming to our school... I am sure that our children will remember our tree planting day for the rest of their lives. Thanks once again. It was a wonderful experience.”
- Francine Williams, Principal, Cleveland Elementary, Pasadena

“The Common Vision experience will bring your students a greater understanding of the beautiful diversity of this world. Through a precise and beautiful performance, students learn about the importance of caring for themselves, their community, and the world. To close the loop, students are then given opportunities to take action at their school and in their own lives. Exposing children to the wisdom of trees, the fun of hand-drumming, and the kindness of others will impact them for the rest of their lives. As teachers, it is our responsibility to encourage our students to make healthy decisions in their lives. The Common Vision Fruit Tree Tour empowers children to do exactly that."
- Yadira Torres, After School Program Director, Tyrell Elementary, Hayward, CA

“So to have a bunch of people come down in one day, has an impact that we as just one or two folks working locally can’t possibly have….it just has a major impact.”
- Neelam Sharma, Executive Director, Community Services Unlimited, South Central Los Angeles

"The thing I was most fascinated by was the fact that the Common vision people live what they talk about. Anybody can talk, but it's the people that walk the walk and talk the talk that you truly appreciate... I think the children learned a lot today, but most importantly saw how you can live the life you're being encouraged to live."
- Tom Cooper, Principal, Sycamore Elementary, Claremont

“Common Vision is a bus full of hope."
- Tezozomac, South Central Farmers, South Central Los Angeles

“Why can't every day be like this? The day is wonderful. The music, dance, and drumming is engaging and positively therapeutic. The tree planting and its accompanying instruction in small groups is a reminder of the profound power of hands-on learning. The activity groups reinforce the messages from the planting experience. The legacy of 20 planted trees will live with us throughout our campus for many years to come. We're already making plans to plant more trees with the hope that this seasonal produce will help enhance our school lunch program's salad bar. And what if we end up with more fruit than we can eat here? Our students are already asking, 'Who else could we help feed?'"
- Ley Yeager, Principal, Vista Del Valle Elementary, Claremont

“Common Vision's hands-on approach to education and social change is vital and necessary. In a time when negative news about the environment and human’s impact on it threatens to overwhelm individuals, Common Vision empowers people to make real, enduring changes in their communities. Common Vision grounds theory (e.g., permaculture) in ritual (especially through music, dance, and performance)-- a distinctive combination that is potent because it links the individual to the whole."
- Andy Roth, Professor of Sociology, Pomona College