Amikas

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About Amikas

Amikas is a California, not-for-profit¹, public benefit organization serving the greater San Diego area. The organization was founded by Jeeni Criscenzo, Juan del Rio, Michael Copass and Maurice Martin in 2009.

Mission

Amikas' mission is to promote economic justice and reduce poverty and homelessness by creating intentional neighborhoods that are primarily for people unable to afford housing and emphasize personal empowerment and self-sufficiency, environmental consciousness, cooperation and non-violence, where all neighbors, through their own cooperative efforts, and the free exchange of their goods and services, will have food, shelter and the necessities of living.

Services

Amikas will provide individuals and families who are currently without permanent housing (including persons in temporary or transitional housing) or who are at risk of being without housing, with the opportunity to work and live in a cooperative community. Amikas residency can be either a transitional step toward re-entry into the traditionally housed community or an extended lifestyle choice.

To accomplish this, Amikas will focus on these major areas:

Acquiring suitable property for living, farming and a marketplace.
Human-scale organizing within a household/cluster/community model.
Shelter that is personal, of minimal environmental impact, sustainable and community-oriented.
Organic farming and sustainable permaculture.
Educating in non-violence and cooperative and sustainable living, environmental awareness and self-reliance skills.
Supporting micro-business ventures in the Amikas marketplace.
Implementing an alternative currency system.

Every Amikas neighbor will be employed to the best of their ability within the Amikas neighborhood, re-building their lives while building and maintaining their neighborhood, growing food, providing the services needed to sustain a healthy, thriving community and sharing that bounty with the larger community.

Board of Directors
Amikas has an all-volunteer, hands-on working Board of Directors:

Jeeni Criscenzo, Chief Executive Office / President

760-525-1915

Michael Copass, Secretary

619-665-9415

Juan del Rio, Chief Financial Officer

619-665-0538

Maurice Martin, Vice President

619-279-8665

Steve Powell, Director
858-699-0025

Want to know more?
Invite Jeeni Criscenzo to present to your group - call 619-822-2782 or email info@amikas.org.

¹ Amikas applied for 510(c)(3) status April 2010.