What I've Been Dreaming About

One of the questions that I began 2014 with was:

"What Does It Mean to be a good neighbor as an organization at NeighborLink Fort Wayne?"

NeighborLink has spent the past 10 years helping neighbors answer this question by leveraging the power of the web to connect resourced neighbors connect to their vulnerable neighbors with the intent of performing compassionate acts of God's love. We've intentionally been neutral in our efforts with the desire to allow the decentralized nature of our online bulletin board work. The more we can get remove ourselves from the decision making process of our volunteers, the more likely the project would be successful. I definitely believe in preserving our decentralized model, but I'm sensing the need to begin integrating more centralized efforts back into our work in an effort to give leadership to those that come to volunteer with us that aren't getting it anywhere else. Also, centralized efforts are necessary if we're going to make more in-depth change in certain areas of our city or particular demographic of recipient. 

The more I learn about the power of NeighborLink, the nature of neighborhoods, and the process of community building, I'm challenging to continue to go deeper and deeper as an individual and as the director of NL. The needs of our neighborhoods and the potential solutions we see every day are so close to one another, and we're just at the tipping point of what our model is capable of. 

So, I dream about buildings, specifically this building every day. 

I don't dream about getting a building as a nonprofit for the sake of a building. I dream about this building because of where it is and what it is rather than just the sake of having a new home base. We've avoided major assets as an organization for 10 years because of the way they can be a black hole for a nonprofit's resources and mission. But, I can't shake the vision that the future of NL exists not only in this building, but in this neighborhood, which is called Hoagland Masterson. We want a place where people walk in wanting to know what we do and being able to turn them around and point to specific examples of what we do.

I have visions of this place bringing transformational and life giving energy to this neighborhood when I see all of our volunteers using this as a point place to launch into this and surrounding neighborhoods to help neighbors in need. I see this space becoming a place where neighbors can come in and borrow tools, use a workshop, and learn how to better care for their homes while getting to know their neighbors. I see others sparking greater visions than even I have for what this downtown neighborhood could become. I see this as an opportunity for us to continue blurring the lines between non-profit and for-profit models with some of the enterprise ideas we have for the future. 

It's more than a building, it's a place for the prayers of our city to come to life. Its a neighborhood that seems to be one of the best kept secrets in the downtown area and it's ripe for redevelopment. It's honestly only a matter of time before this neighborhood enters into full fledge gentrification and I want to make sure we're stakeholders in making that happen well. I can see this neighborhood becoming the place where families that want a downtown/urban life can raise their kids in a traditional neighborhood rather than a condo. 

I hope these dreams come true for NeighborLink, this neighborhood, our city, and for me and my neighbors that live near this neighborhood. We love living on the southside of the tracks and want more people to join us in learning what makes a neighborhood and community great. 

There is so much more to this post that can't be fully explained, but I'm putting it out there because I know that it's time to invite others to dream with me or help make it a reality. I'll keep you posted on whether this dream comes true.