The Nudge Report (5/28/2021)
“Community”
Recently, I attended a four-session course given by the Mid-Shore Community Foundation on “Deepening Community Engagement.” People involved with non-profits on the Eastern Shore were invited to attend. One of the purposes of this training was to provide a more expansive view of the meaning of community. I was able to share the story of Rebuilding and others shared their stories about a need their organization fills in our community - on the Eastern Shore. One of the take-aways, for me, was how relational all of these organizations are.
We speak of “neighbors” - not clients, applicants or people-in-need. In a very real sense, we’re in the “people business” with construction on the side. Neighbors may come to us wanting to live in a safer and healthier home, and oftentimes we discuss other services that the county or state offers.
If we are to truly embrace our aspiration of “Ending substandard housing in our community” we need to understand how we can collaborate and coordinate with other organizations that share our aspiration AND we need to maintain a mindset that “we’re all in this together!”
Our community of nonprofits…
I am on the CVMA* task force on homelessness… this is a group of representatives from organizations in our area looking at solutions for homelessness in Kent County.
I spoke briefly with the new Executive Director of Kent Attainable Housing about how we might partner to serve more people. We also spoke about resource sharing!
I am on the Basic Needs Work Group that was established by Dawson Hunter (Housing & Transportation Coordinator, Local Management Board). We are being intentional with efforts to nudge the county commissioners to fund a county position to administer potential CDBG** funding available from the state.
I am planning on “sharing our story” with the county commissioners at a future County Commissioners Meeting.
Genevieve and I serve on several focus groups within the national Rebuilding Together organization - helping other affiliates navigate their way in accomplishing their goals. One amazing outcome of this “helping others” is that WE ourselves are helped by the work of these focus groups. We are able to tap into the collective intelligence of the larger Rebuilding Together community!
I attended the ribbon cutting of Hope House in Rock Hall. Their mission statement is “Sharing the Hope by Sharing Food and Clothing.” I’ll be meeting with their pastor in the next couple of weeks to explore ways we can serve the community, together.
As the pandemic is put behind us, I will be reaching out to organizations to share our story and to simply ask, “How can we help them, in their mission?” We are not in this alone. We don’t need to do this all by ourselves. As I’ve said before, all of the resources we need to accomplish our mission, ALREADY exist! We don’t need to print any money. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We don’t need to create volunteers or contractors or donors out of thin air! They’re already here! “All” we need to do is share our compelling story with them!
It takes a village… I know this is cliche…
AND…
Our mission and vision are powerful. We are revitalizing our community - one repair at a time! Working alongside other organizations, we are poised to make a significant difference in the lives of our neighbors, today and in the future!
Have a restful weekend!
- Wayne
SAVE the DATE! Fall Rebuilding Day - September 25th!
*CVMA - Chester Valley Ministers Association
**CDBG - Community Development Block Grant
As a reminder, for the month of June, Rebuilding Together Kent County will receive a $1 donation from each purchase of the $3.00 reusable GIVE BACK WHERE IT COUNTS Bag at the ACME store located at 711 Washington Avenue, Chestertown MD.
Rebuilding Together Kent County is the most impactful nonprofit in Kent County!
Repairing homes, revitalizing communities, rebuilding lives. Safe homes and communities for everyone.
…ending substandard housing in our community!