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.