Final Mapleton-Fall Creek Unity Forum Set for May 12 from 6-8pm
Residents of the Mapleton-Fall Creek area are finding that they have more in common with each other than the usual issues of living in an urban neighborhood. Through a series of three community-wide forums, they are discovering the richness of interests, gifts, and talents they share. In the process of conversations about what they love – their passions, pastimes and pursuits – they are finding unexpected ways in which to connect with each other. The result is a growing sense of community.
“That’s exactly what we hoped for when we dreamed up this initiative,” says Marc McAleavey, one of a small group of neighbors who applied for and received a grant to fund this series of conversations to develop and support neighborhood connections. “Building community cohesiveness is the sole purpose of our work and that’s why we call our group MFC Unity.”
More than 85 neighbors attended the first forum on March 10. The organizing theme was arts and roots; conversations centered on neighbors’ passion for interests such as story telling, painting and sculpture, performing arts, cooking, and neighborhood history. Held at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, the meeting also featured a free dinner prepared by MFC resident and chef Avis White as well as childcare and very high energy. “We are absolutely thrilled with the outcome of our first effort,” says Lorraine Phillips Vavul, a member of MFC Unity. “People who probably wouldn’t have gotten to know each other otherwise have made new friendships and at least a dozen of them will meet again on their own.”
According to Doug Day, current president of the Historic Meridian Park Neighborhood Association as well as a member of MFC Unity, “The energy in the room was so high that I would be surprised if the many connections made that night didn’t lead to enduring relationships.” “The beauty of all this is that we don’t know what these relationships will become – perhaps new neighborhood initiatives to improve the quality of life here, maybe a writer’s group or theater club. We just help the process begin,” said De’Amon Harges, an artist, community organizer, and another member of the MFC Unity group.
The process of connecting neighbors through their interests and strengths rather than focusing on their needs and deficits isn’t new,” says Scott VanKirk, president of Watson-McCord Neighborhood Association as well as MFC Unity member. “It’s based on a concept which has been shown to work well in neighborhoods like ours, but it hasn’t been tried here much before.”
“The more typical way,” explains Sarah Wiehe, another MFC Unity member, “is for neighborhood leaders to bring people together to do something, usually to protect the area against some kind of threat from the outside or to remonstrate for improvements in city services.” David Scott, also part of the group, agrees. “Because groups that are organized along the lines of negatives tend to fall apart when their goal is achieved, this asset-based theme makes more sense. I think people stay connected when their relationship is based on something personal that they share.”
“It’s true,” says Scott Semester, director of development at Broadway United Methodist Church. “Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) has a very good track record where it’s been tried in other parts of the country and the world.” Sarah Blandina, secretary of the Mid-North Church Council and member of the MFC Unity group, adds, “People are more likely to build enduring relationships when the focus is on strength, and the whole thing is much more positive and fun.”
One final forum is planned for May 12 at The Children’s Museum beginning at 6 p.m. The organizing theme is “All About Youth.” Conversations will center on topics encompassing the full spectrum of youth from education, intergenerational connections, leadership, and summer camps among other topics. A free dinner will be served and childcare will be provided. The website www.mfcunity.org provides details as they develop.
