Dignity of man

Our Mission

The BirdHouse is a project of the Dignity of Man a 501.c3 nonprofit educational organization committed to making the world a more equitable, sustainable and healthy place for every living thing.
 
We believe in providing the opportunities and resources for each person to develop and achieve their fullest human potential and to express the innate creativity that is the birthright of all humanity.
 
We believe the best way to accomplish this is through fostering an ever-growing sense of responsibility to contribute to the well-being of others and forging strategic partnerships across the public, private and non-profit sectors.
 
Currently we work by helping develop projects as a fiscal receiver, providing fiscal management and record keeping, as well as structure and support to ensure that project goals are within 501(c)3 guidelines.

We support projects which:

  • Cultivate forward-thinking education and communication
  • Develop a collaborative sense of community, locally and globally
  • Seek to preserve the world’s diversity, whether ecological or cultural
  • Foster a sense of the importance of nature and it’s cycles
  • Encourage creative expression and collaboration through the arts
  • Provide support to at-risk populations in the community

History

Dignity of Man was established as a non-profit educational organization in early 1973 by Richard and Christiane Smith and Dave Allen, with the help and support of charter members and friends.

Dignity of Man has provided educational programs and multi-cultural initiatives in myriad forms and continually searches for ways to encourage the improvement of human relations and cultural and global understanding. Our commitment is to provide the opportunities and resources for people to develop and achieve their fullest human potential, and to foster an ever-growing sense of responsibility to contribute to the well-being of others.

From 1999 until now, Dignity of Man has supported several programs helping at-risk youth and adults from all backgrounds.

2011-2023

1990-2010

  • Offspring Urban Farms (1992-1997)
  • Compton STARS (Students Talking and Resolving Successfully): A pilot project for effecting change in school communication through governance, conflict resolution and diversity training (1993-1997)
  • Jump: Placement of highly motivated high school students in the workplace under the mentorship of a professional (1995-1996)
  • Youth Economic Development Program: Oil recycling educational program developed with the help of Brown Enterprises in San Francisco (1995-1996)
  • Project Freedom (1993-1997)
  • Mission Dignity (1999-2004)
  • Wijdan: Mystery of Gnawa Trance Music (2000)
  • We Can Do: Intensive training events and workshops for girls’ and women’s leadership skills (2003)
  • Power of Peace: Creation of a study guide for a book called “Finding Freedom” designed to be used in prison high schools (2004)
  • Peace Angel Project: Development of a short documentary film about the Peace Angel Project (2005)
  • Velocity Technology: Partnership with rural high school computer repair training program for at-risk youth (2006)

1972-1989

  • Documentary films made in Nepal, Afghanistan and Mexico shown in schools.  Films on Nepal and Afghanistan sold to the Peace Corps (1972-1974)
  • Publication of “Dignity of Man – The Basis of Global Understanding” with pictures of people and children from around the world (1974)
  • Camping trips with children and students from all backgrounds developing survival skills, leadership abilities and self-esteem in exploring new ways of life (1972-1975)
  • Development of educational curriculum and instructional materials (1972-1984)
  • Monthly publication: “Exploring Dignity” (1974-1976)
  • Development of “The Dignity of Man Education Society” (1974-1977)
  • Student, teacher, parent and community programs, workshops and college accredited courses (1972-1984)
  • In-service programs for students and teachers of all grade levels (1972-1984)
  • Consulting services (1972-1984)
  • Educational Help In Afghanistan (1979-1992)

Please consider supporting us.

Your tax deductible donation supports our mission of engaging with each other in finding creative solutions through permaculture, systems thinking, medicinal plants, art, singing, science and storytelling. We aspire to a new story of interdependence, to restore shared wisdom, and to have fun doing it.