Ganas

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Jeff Gross co-founder of Ganas
Jeff Gross co-founder of Ganas
For the attendants of Shiva, see Gana.

Ganas is an intentional community, or housing and resources co-operative in New Brighton, Staten Island. [1] [2]

[edit] History

The co-operative was founded in 1979, by the Foundation for Feedback Learning, which was founded in 1978. "Ganas" is a Spanish word meaning "motivation sufficient to act". The community consists of a small core group of a dozen partners who share ownership of ten houses and four commercial buildings, which house retail stores, under the name "Everything Goes". They focus on reuse and recycling and other aspects of simple living. They have a used furniture store, a used clothing store and an Internet "book cafe" selling used books, media and organic espresso. They have an ever-changing international population of 80 to 90 people who live in the houses and cover expenses by either paying rent, or working in the stores.

In May of 2006, co-founder, Jeff Gross was shot by an emotionally disturbed former resident, Rebekah Johnson.[3][4] Johnson had been stalking Gross for several years. Johnson lived at Ganas between 1986 and 1989 and again from 1994 to 1996, but was asked to leave the community each time because of her disruptive behavior.[5] Gross suffered multiple gunshot wounds and recovered. Johnson was apprehended by federal authorities in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 18, 2007. [6]

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Free Love, Hate and an Ambush At a Commune on Staten Island", New York Times, June 1, 2006. Retrieved on 2007-09-25. "A few rules exist at Ganas, a collection of 100 souls who live on Staten Island in what may be New York City's only commune. Shared meals and wife-swapping are O.K. Freeloading, violence and pointless negativity are not. Rebekah Johnson, a former Ganas member, had violated all three prohibitions ..." 
  2. ^ "Big Love on Staten Island.", New York Magazine, April 24, 2006. Retrieved on 2007-10-31. "Open relationships, little people, 100 kooky housemates: $710 per month covers room, board, toilet paper, and toothpaste at Ganas, New York City’s most exclusive commune. Serious inquiries only, please." 
  3. ^ Rebekah Johnson. America's Most Wanted. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
  4. ^ Rebekah Johnson. NYPD. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
  5. ^ "Former Staten Island Commune Member Sought in Founder's Shooting", New York Times, May 31, 2006. Retrieved on 2007-06-21. "A former member of a Staten Island commune built around the ideals of nonviolence, conflict resolution and open relationships is being sought in connection with the shooting of one of the group's founders late Monday night, law enforcement officials said yesterday." 
  6. ^ "For Rebekah's alleged victim, relief.", Staten Island Advance. Retrieved on 2007-10-31.