Life & Work with Tom Crain

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Crain. 

Hi Tom, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Originally from Minneapolis, Minn. I first worked for the Minneapolis Public Schools in Community Education. As a Community Ed Director at the high school that served new immigrants–Hmong and Somalian–I caught the serving immigrants “bug.” In one of the most challenged neighborhoods in the city, we converted vacant lots into urban farmlands for the students and their families because of the ag heritage of the immigrant population. I was also in charge of offering classes and programs for GED, Teaching English, delinquent youth counseling, and housing renovations and rehabs for low-income residents. After leaving the public schools, I worked in international tourism marketing for Minnesota Office of Tourism, Mississippi River States, Great Lakes States, Barbados Tourism Authority, and Kenya Tourism Association. I was also a Park Ranger at Fort Clatsop National Monument in Astoria, Oregon. Later, I was a copywriter for various corporations and ad agencies and a contributing editor to agricultural trade magazines.

After moving to Akron OH at the age of 50. I decided to transfer my skills to the Akron community to be near my two young daughters. who were moved to NEO with their mother who originally hailed from Canton. I checked back into education at a charter school as the community liaison and special projects director, and later worked for the Akron Public Schools as special projects and substitute teacher. I am currently working at the I Promise School. I was also Adjunct Professor for Kent State U Stark and Walsh University in the English departments teaching international students and also Bryant Stratton College teaching study skills and communications. I also served as a resident advisor for Oriana House assisting felons transitioning out of prison. I also continued copywriting for landscape and agricultural trade publications.

I co-founded Shanti Community Farms, Inc., an Akron-based non-profit founded in 2017 with a mission to preserve the agricultural heritage of New Americans, empowering them to learn and earn from the local food economy. An offshoot of Shanti is Yard Corps, taking youth out to homes, churches, business, and farms to perform landscape maintenance chores. Also, I am manager of two immigrant teen youth performance groups–the Black Beanz (Congolese/Tanzanian) and Hot Pepperz (Bhutanese/Nepalis). I was Interim President and currently serve on the board of the West Hill Neighborhood Organization. I also started the Akron Portage ‘n Paddle, a canoe and carry endurance race and community event following the Towpath Trail from Nesmith Lake through Summit Lake to the first locks for the paddle and around the main streets of downtown Akron to Lock 3 or Cascade Valley for the portage. It is designed to promote community spirit and enhance the recreational opportunities located right in the heart of Akron, Ohio.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not! The main struggles began when my first daughter was born with esophageal atresia, a birth defect where the stomach is disconnected from the throat. She was tube fed for her first three years of life until surgery connected her digestive system. Through some unfortunate business investments, medical debt, and living beyond means as a young couple, I suffered some financial setbacks losing a home in the process and taking on considerable debt from a complicated divorce. This is the first year that I can finally see the debt reduced to a tolerable level. Also, for three years, I was unable to move to NEO to be physically living near my daughters. The long-distance relationship and struggles to financially be able to move to NEO created considerable anxiety and depression.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Third Stage (60+) senior in total action for youth and the community. I have to add a caveat that I have my health–good health that I am thankful for every single day. It is the best time of my life. Children raised and on their own. Nothing left to prove. Wisdom is now my asset–been there, done that. Ego is no more–there is nothing left to criticize about me–because I’ve heard it all before and worked through it. I can finally be authentic and know how to use it diplomatically. I can talk about myself freely–the good and the bad. That’s what registers with people–and especially youth. I am accomplishing so many more things and getting people on my bandwagon because of my authenticity.

This is the time when people should give back to their community. I don’t understand what my senior peers are afraid of in assisting the community where they will run into non-traditional people. There is nothing to be afraid of. Reaching out is such a gift and you will find out that non-traditional people welcome your wisdom and assistance. We can all find commonalities with people even though we are all different. So, get out there and meet and give to others!!! The response will surprise you.

I am most proud of taking an idea that is out of the box but on point and caring it through fruition to help the community. 1. Yard Corps 2. STARS — immigrant teen performers 3. Shanti Community Farms project 4. Akron Portage & Paddle canoe/kayak event.

1. Yard Corps takes inner-city kids 12-17 out to private homes, churches, businesses, farms to do landscape maintenance PAID work. These kids are true ambassadors demonstrating work ethic, teamwork, and getting them off their video games and into the great outdoors. AS a senior, it forces me to get exercise. We also have a Ninja Warrior and tree climbing course and creek walk/bluff climb that we put the crews through–like a boot camp–and I personally physically participate in all of it to stay in top shape myself!

2. Our teen performers are currently the Black Beanz (Congo Flava AfroBeats genre from Tanzania), These 7 African immigrant dudes are so talented and so unique that they were selected for the Top Ten Pre-Professional Youth Performance acts in Ohio and got to perform at the 2022 OhioDance Festival in Columbus end of April. They were also the only all-male dance troupe selected. The Hot Pepperz are a mixed-gender group performing some marital arts, Hindi, Bollywood, and Nepali Pop hits.

3. Shanti Community Farms works with immigrant families that have had to give up their ag backgrounds due to immigration. Primarily Bhutanese and Congolese farmers, some Hispanic and Middle Eastern (Afghani and Syrian). We find vacant lots for them to get back on the land and the most unique thing is they plant their own seeds from their home countries–not American crops we are used to seeing. Africans plant peanuts, langa langa, specialty maize corn, Bhutanese plant a super-hot pepper variety, snake gourds, and mustard greens. We also have the youth cater picnics –called “A Golden Time Picnic”– for the public who experience the immigrants’ cuisine with locally grown ingredients. The youth cook and prepare the food, serve it, and then our Hot Pepperz and Black Beanz teens perform. We also hold periodic farmers’ markets run by immigrant youth. Since I got my TESL degree from UAkron, we plan to offer English lessons at our farm sites. Our new farm site is not formalized yet but it’s a partnership with the Akron Zoo using the land they own in the neighborhood adjacent to the zoo.

4. APP is a paddling and carry race that celebrates the native American heritage in Akron where the two water systems meet and the Native Americans had to portage across Akron from one water system to another. It’s hilarious because people are carrying their canoes through downtown where they transfer from the Tusc River to the Little Cuyahoga River. I couldn’t believe that this city talked about this and had all kinds of statues and heritage sites but never re-enacted it! I come from Minnesota where lakes and rivers rule and the BWCA national park in Canadian border links thousands of lakes. So, I had to go for this event here! I missed that so I brought it here.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Authenticity rules! If we can be comfortable enough to talk about our strengths and weaknesses in equal amounts and transfer our experiences to youth who don’t know how to express themselves, think they know it all even though they haven’t experienced much of anything at their stage of life–we “elders” need to be obligated to share with them and enrich and guide their lives. But that takes a lot of self-reflection and accepting change and feeling comfortable in our own skin to truly be effective in changing community for the better.

Also, think out of the box, be uncomfortable sometimes, use humor to overcome being scared about something. Just because something hasn’t been done before, doesn’t mean there is any reason why not! Just because there are rules in place–so many are outdated and don’t make sense for today’s living– doesn’t mean you can’t counter them if it helps the community. Authorities will work with you—they will make exceptions for you. You can get people excited about new things if you are willing to talk to them authentically and listen to what their needs are.

Also, non-traditional groups of people have so much to give us! For example, our African and Bhutanese/Nepali immigrants are in great shape and health. The elders even in their 80s look like they are in their 50s because of their diet and exercise (most all don’t have cars). They aren’t in an office or school working on video games and computer apps all day long. They don’t sit in fast food drive-ups all day long. Multi-generational living and respect for elders is paramount. Politeness and courtesy to all is paramount. Incredible work ethic. They have the BEST parenting skills. Their kids are phenomenal and well-behaved. These are all things we can learn from them.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shantifarmsoh.com
• Instagram: @shantifarmsoh
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShantiFarmsOH
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKrP70jFH1iT-JRt4c9yPPA