ONLINE / OFFLINE

I've lived in a world with the Internet and constant technological updates my entire life. I've also grown up in a world where most Americans don’t know their neighbors, with some studies finding that Millennials, young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 (I’m 23), are least likely to know their neighbors. These facts are from coincidental.

One of the biggest complaints we have heard from residents throughout the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) process is that new residents moving into the neighborhood don’t want to get to know their neighbors like the older culture in Northwest Denver where folks knew their entire block.

It seems more and more that people are moving their communities online through social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and NextDoor.com. There is nothing inherently wrong with these sites, but they can either create or tear down community depending on how they are used.

One of the main problems with the Internet is the idea of anonymity and problems with physical separation. It’s much easier to type something hateful or rude to someone that isn't in your immediate vicinity and may not have a picture of you or know your name. Anybody who has spent any amount of time online on social media sites, article comment sections, or chat forums have seen this type of unproductive bickering where opinions are rarely changed (i.e. controversies like GamerGate).

Where, then, is the place for the Internet and technology in community? North Denver happens to be a place where great things are happening online. These illustrations show how online community can build up offline community.

#WeAreNorthDenver was a movement started by the Hispanic community in Northwest Denver after flyers were put up around the Highlands area that targeted Hispanics and other racial groups. This movement is more than just a hash tag and has been used as a resource for community members to create and share events, keep up with neighborhood news, and mobilize outside of this online community. Recently they posted a list of neighborhood associations on their Facebook page, encouraging members to join and advocate for themselves from within.

Other examples include blogs like this one, neighborhood publications like The North Denver Tribune, campaign websites to organize volunteers for local elections, and advertising for events happening in the neighborhood, all of which can be found online. When technology is used like this, it can build up offline community - not destroy it.

What we have with modern day technology is a resource that can be used for both good and bad. North Denver and all communities that are surrounded by these technologies have a choice: use technology to organize, advocate, and collaborate, or use it as a way to keep distance from our neighbors and mask our identity while attacking others. The problem then, is not the tech itself, but rather how we choose to use it. Let’s use our online resources to make community happen offline.

- John Putnam, The 32^nd Avenue Jubilee Center Episcopal Service Corps Intern

Lively, passionate, and engaged conversation

On Wednesday, January 21, the Jubilee Center held a community meeting for residents living in North Denver to discuss our past year of Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) work and to pose some reflecting questions to them about their own contributions to the neighborhood. Although we ended up meeting on a very snowy, cold night, about 40 community members joined in on the meal provided by Rosa Linda’s and Patsy’s Inn and the following conversation. We measure our success on this meeting by the lively, passionate, and engaged conversation that was generated and self-sustained by the people in attendance. Once we began sharing our story about our experience working on this project and being members of North Denver, others began sharing their thoughts and feelings about their time in North Denver too. As we have found time and again with this endeavor, simply asking questions about people’s experiences, hopes, and passions is a transformative process. The person who asked the question begins to see something they may have never thought of before, while the person answering can take a critical, but positive look at their life and the circumstances around them.

There was much preparation for this event by everyone in our office. We worked together to advertise the event, continue making connections in the community, complete catering orders, and put together the presentation. Every moment of our presentation did not go as planned; rather something better happened. The energy of the people in the meeting took over to create conversation on topics such as gentrification, making connections with new neighbors, appreciating arts and cultures of others, and finding ways to articulate thoughts and feelings. With the exceedingly fast array of changes in the neighborhood (architecturally, socio-economically, culturally, etc.), many residents are finding it hard to keep up with what’s happening with neighbors on their own streets. This meeting was said to be a strong first step for identifying some of the challenges facing all the people of North Denver right now, but also for showing all the strengths and resources that North Denver has had in the past and will continue to build on for generations to come.

Our next step in ABCD:

Through our ABCD work, we determined this community meeting was something residents desperately desired so they would have a welcoming venue for people to discuss their experiences in North Denver in a larger group setting. As mentioned in the meeting, it was the first step in creating new community connections and developing self-empowerment. One of our hoped for outcomes for the ABCD project is to learn how the Jubilee Center can be a better neighborhood and service provider to residents in the neighborhood. One way we hope to do this is by continuing positive, thoughtful community discussions. As of the end of January we will begin writing our final report of our ABCD work. We will always be listening to the voices in the neighborhood and do our best to contribute to the community as a respectful and caring neighbor.

Thank you to Rosa Linda’s, Patsy’s Inn, Menchie’s, and Rosales Bakery for contributing a delicious and hearty meal.

Thank you to Our Merciful Savior for hosting us in the church basement.

Thank you to Lelanda Lee for helping facilitate the conversation.

And thank you to everyone who attended the meeting and have supported the ABCD project.