The Learning Council
Our Mission: Enriching community through education, art, advocacy, food, agriculture and wellness for all. Sign Up for Our NewsletterSupport Us!
Help Us Complete the Essential Renovations of The Hearth​!
The priority renovations at The Hearth include commercial kitchen & bathrooms!
The commercial kitchen will be home to the TLC Kitchen Crew, which provides weekly locally sourced meals to the community by donation. It will also be used as a “teaching” kitchen for classes on cooking local/cultural/ethnic foods, herbal and wildcrafted preparations, etc.
Vision
The Learning Council is an educational hub for the North Fork Valley, connecting learners and educators to meet specific needs and empower personal growth. The outcomes of our programs encourage learners to give back to the community through service. Responding to the needs of our community we offer a variety of classes and learning opportunities for all ages and skill levels, continually broadening our course selection.
Diversity Statement
We believe in lifelong learning and education as a resource for everyone. We are committed to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, and experience.
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Upcoming Events
Riverfest
June 3-4 – Riverfest is a community fair that includes a float trip. A festival occurs on June 3 while the float occurs on the 4th.
Good Agricultural Practices
June 9 – Good Agricultural Practices training seminar will be conducted by CSU’s Martha Sullins – useful to any small farming operation.
Color the Town
Color the Town – Register for your rainbow flag and installation this June for Pride Month – symbol of support
Paonia Singing
Every Sunday – With Paonia Singing learn to sing, sing better, sing in a group, together and to have fun doing it! With Michael Hall.
Compassionate Cultural Awareness Training
May & June 17 – Compassionate Cultural Awareness Training is a two day class to develop one’s cultural awareness of a marginalized community.
North Fork Mentoring Project
July 31- Aug 3 – The North Fork Mentoring Project involves adventure, arts, service, and project-based rite of passage programs for boys, age 9-11
Mindful Mamas
Every Monday – Mindful Mamas encourages you to come as you are to gather, share and learn more about pregnancies.
Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Gathering
The Learning Council will be a Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Gathering each month to discuss CSHE and how to share factual information.
Harvest for Health Monday Lunch
Harvest for Health Monday Lunch is prepared by Chrys Bailey, family and friends. 2nd and 4th Monday of each month. Pick-up – Trading Post.
Senior Yoga
Wednesdays – Senior Yoga with Katy Goldsberry is a gentle therapeutic class for all bodies and abilities – at The Hearth.
Life Drawing
The Learning Council transforms the Hearth every Wednesday night into an open studio. Artists of all skill levels are welcome to practice life drawing.
Day of Mindfulness
2nd Saturday of Month – The Day of Mindfulness will include sitting meditation, tea, Dharma talk or poem, walking meditation and sharing our reflections.
All-Ages and All-Genders
Last Saturday of Month – A monthly All-Ages and All-Genders for LGBTQ+ families and friends plus pizza! An in-person meet-up with peer counseling.
Featured Activity
Community Lunch
Our cooking class utilizes local organic foods, to turn students on to the vitality, nutrition and flavor of our local bounty, while supporting local farms. The class prepares a community meal ($10 suggested donation or 1 hour of work in the kitchen).
We offer weekly meals attracting more community members each time, as well as, people from neighboring communities. We serve a minimum of 50 people each week lunch. This class teaches practical skills, service, and has a mentoring system where students will share their knowledge with each other while working together on a dish.