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Home > Events > Sharing Ideas Panels
Sharing Ideas October 2009
Grassroots Projects Started by Neighbors
Sharing Ideas is a panel presentation and discussion that showcases the grassroots efforts of neighbors throughout the Portland metro-area. All of the projects are volunteer or non-profit driven, have a community benefit, and could be replicated in other neighborhoods. Our hope is that these events inspire people to initiate similar projects in their own neighborhood. Panelists share the spark that ignited their idea, the tools and strategies they used to turn it into action and their hopes and dreams for their project into the future.
October, 2009 Panelists
Blue Door: Allyson Spencer used her love of gardening to create a volunteer project in the King neighborhood. Blue Door goes into people’s yards to do yard work and “it is a way to build community,” said Allyson.
Maya Angelou Summer Art Camp: Mariah Ureel used her passion for art and children to create a free, week-long summer art camp for kids in her neighborhood. “Art heals and gives children a sense of themselves.” With the help of neighborhood volunteers and donations from the community, the art camp has been operating for the past 5 summers.
Northeast Tool Lending Library (NEPTL): Tom Thompson got involved in his neighborhood by replicating the concept of a tool lending library. In just over a year the library has over 1000 tools and 650 members.
Ainsworth Collective: Lisa Gambee started hosting a potluck at her house 4 years ago that become a Collective. Now it includes gardening groups, buying groceries together, yoga classes, and summer camps. “We have developed a wonderful sense of community that’s really been created by shared values and intentions,” states Marie Taylor, a member of the collective. Lisa shared that the Collective helps to create “a place where they feel like a community”.
Swap N’ Play: Karen Hery’s Sunnyside Swap Shop Co-op was the spark that ignited Andrea Davey to start Swap N’ Play in the St. John’s area. The safe play spaces for families are like a “second living room you belong to” where clothing, books, toys, and household items are shared. Andrea describes it as a “sharing community. We gather together and build intentional community in a sustainable way.”