So today is my official last day (at least the last day I'll be getting paid.) There has been some suggestion to put together my findings in a report or some kind of presentation. I'm not sure exactly how to start on that, but here are a few notes:
-The Rachel Grows project and the Myhomeyourhome project, as well as experiences with Sprouts and Our Community Bikes have been a part of a larger study in urban self- reliance and sustainability.
-Developing self-reliance in an urban setting is important because urban lifestyles have become progressively more abstract in terms of what one must do to meet their needs.
-This abstraction influences our values as a culture, as well as our self-image, as a society.
-Self reliance in every form is empowering. Being able to feed or transport onself, having a full understanding of every step it took to complete the task, is an effective means of creating more conscious, happy citizens.
-Self reliance is fulfilling.
-Working to develop self-reliance on a new level differs strongly from much of the advocacy and awareness work I have done in the past. A simple change of attitude (to empowerment from negative focus) is incredibly powerful.
-In order for people to become more self-reliant, they consistently band together. This creates stronger community. (A fact which has been visible in every organization I've worked with.) From examples as clear as community gardens and bike kitchens to more abstract ideas like the free information movement, community development is a common outcome.
So what?
These findings will certainly influence the way I approach community development in the future. I wonder if there is a way to make a dialogue on these findings (which are clearly not exclusive to my work) more widely available.
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