My Reflection Matters Village

About My Reflection Matters Village
My Reflection Matters Village (MRMV), a virtual co-learning community for parents and educators seeking the learning experiences and resources to support them in healing from the wounds of colonial education & living. We believe "when children enter our lives, it is time to relearn--not teach" -Sadhguru.

We hold space for adults committed to co-raising free people where they can collectively come together to heal from oppressive systems and ways of thinking to fully reclaim their power and abilities to create the lives they want for themselves and their families. This form of liberation--returning to one's higher self and allowing that energy to lead one's life--is the greatest gift adults can give themselves and the children in their lives.  Since 2020, MRMV has used the Mighty Networks platform to offer online courses, workshops, live conversations, and resource sharing to support our community. Our work is accessible to all and has been able to evolve thanks to a combination of members who are able to pay what they want via our Patreon and funders like the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund.

After 5 years, our work is ready to move from the sky to the soil. Keep reading to learn more about our land project and how you can help.

Project Summary: From Land to Soil, Rooted in Healing and Liberation

Right now, we have a unique opportunity to bring our healing work to the ground in Boriké/Puerto Rico. Hacienda Casa Campo is a 5-acre sanctuary in Borikén (Puerto Rico) that Chemay Morales-James, founder of My Reflection Matters Village (MRMV), is reclaiming as a permanent home for intergenerational healing work, cultural preservation, and land-based rest.

The land has already held two deeply impactful retreats. Now, Chemay has been offered the opportunity to steward this land permanently. The current owner is offering it at a below-market price of $1.4M and is open to receiving funds in installments—but only if the deposit is secured soon (by Aug. 1st).

We are raising $1.5 million to acquire and activate this property. Our first fundraising threshold is $600,000, which will secure the deposit and fund initial mobilization efforts.

LISTEN AS CHEMAY AND VILLAGE SUPPORTER, AKILAH, DISCUSS THIS PROJECT.

⏳ Why Now?

This is a moment of rare alignment.

The land is available. The owner is open. The community is ready.

But we need a resourced partner who sees what Chemay sees:

 | Deposit + Closing  | $400,000  | Locks in the property
| Mobilization Funds  | $200,000  | Legal setup, zoning, communications, community readiness
| Remaining Purchase  | $900,000  | Installments over time
| Total  | $1.5M  | Full land acquisition and operational start-up

We are seeking one anchor donor (or 2–3 aligned partners) to complete this investment and seed a legacy.

🌍 Use of Funds: First $600K

About Chemay Morales-James
Chemay is a Boricua mother and educator who founded My Reflection Matters Village (MRMV)—a virtual and in-person learning space rooted in cultural reclamation and community care. Her work bridges educational sovereignty, ancestral wisdom, and local economic sustainability. Chemay's career began in education serving as a special needs teacher in CT public schools. After teaching, she later served a large part of her career as a DEI coach and consultant for school districts primarily in the North East. Her DEI work began in 2007 prior to the DEI explosion where she worked for Dr. Pedro Noguera at the Metro Center for Research on Equity & the Transformation of Schools building out the foundational curriculum for DEI and culturally responsive training. From there, she left to work as an independent DEI consultant and build what is known today as My Reflection Matters Village. Chemay received her Ed.M from Teachers College, Columbia University, and her BS from Southern CT State University. 

Hacienda Casa Campo is a deeply personal return to place and purpose. For Chemay, this is more than a project—it is a homecoming, a healing, and a vision for future generations.

What’s Being Created

This is a legacy investment—an act of healing and reparative resourcing that restores land to Boricua hands and ensures it will serve generations to come.

We are calling in one lead donor who sees the power and purpose of this land legacy—someone who may also invite one or two peers to complete the $1.5M commitment together.

This is your opportunity to be part of a real, measurable return of land, legacy, and healing to folks on the ground in Borikén.

❓🗣️ Answers to Questions You Might Have
We know that thoughtful donors and resource weavers often have important questions about stewardship, sustainability, and impact. Below are answers to the most common ones we’ve already heard—or expect to hear—from values-aligned funders. If your question isn’t listed here, please reach out. Direct conversations are welcome!

Yes. While our priority is full ownership through donor partnership, the landowner is open to incremental payments. If we fall short of the $1.5M total, we will prioritize securing the $600K threshold, which covers the deposit and mobilization. That allows us to lock in the property and begin using it while continuing to fundraise. We also have a timeline-based contingency plan in place, so that every dollar raised still activates the vision responsibly and with integrity. Here’s what that looks like:

What makes this project different from other land/retreat efforts I’ve seen fail?
This project is rooted in long-standing relationships, not just ambition. Chemay is a Boricua with deep ties to the community and a proven track record through My Reflection Matters Village (MRMV). We’ve already hosted two successful retreats on this land, and have a trusted network of local partners, facilitators, and vendors. This is not a conceptual dream—it’s an expansion of real, tested work.

How is the local community being included from day one—not just brought in later?
Local engagement is at the core of this project. From herbalists and land workers to food providers and cultural historians, we’re actively co-designing the use and stewardship of the land with Borikén-based people. Our economic model centers on local-first resourcing, so the community isn’t just included—they are instrumental to the success and sustainability of the land.

Who is stewarding the funds, and how is it being tracked?
Funds are being managed through Chemay’s and the village’s longtime professional bookkeeper (details available upon request) to ensure transparency and proper reporting. We are committed to clear documentation, regular financial updates, and donor visibility. We also welcome direct check-ins with major donors or their liaisons as needed.

Chemay is actively co-creating a sustainability and succession plan with community advisors and co-stewards. While she and her family will live on the land, the long-term goal is for Hacienda Casa Campo to be governed by a collective of Borikén-rooted leaders, not a single person. This ensures the land’s purpose continues even as roles shift, with integrity and alignment intact.

Yes. We welcome what we call a “soft yes” from potential root contributors. That means you can privately express your intention to give—before we go public with your name or your gift.

Some donors prefer to begin with a Letter of Intent (LOI) or a private pledge while confirming details or inviting others into the conversation. We offer that flexibility with care.

You’ll also be invited to preview our materials and rollout strategy, so you can shape how (or whether) your contribution is acknowledged.

If you’re considering a Root Contribution ($200,000 or more), let’s connect directly about how to honor the land and legacy through your support—without urgency, and with full clarity.

How does the LOI (Letter of Intent) process work?

A Letter of Intent (LOI) is a simple way to say “yes, I’m in,” without needing to make an immediate transfer. It’s not a legal contract—just a written expression of your intention to give, the amount you’re considering, and your ideal timeline.

Here’s what the process can look like:

Our hope is that this approach allows you to support this vision in a way that honors your pace, your privacy, and your alignment.