How do you get community? It was a topic of a very interesting conversation last night. We had Jack and Ellie who have developed a senior living community in Elon, NC in the mid-1980’s. Bob and Pam were early pioneers in the American co-housing movement in the mid-1990’s. And Ellen and Steve, about to embark on adventures holding the promise of extensive community-building.
I’ll spare the details, but some of the key points the came up:
- All ages can benefit from a sense of community
- Communities can benefit from all ages
- Intentional action is a strong catalyst of community-building – that is, many want it, but it often takes someone to set it in motion
- Traditions become are great mechanisms to reinforce community
Links:
Blakey Hall Retirement Community in Elon
A few shots of Bob and Pam’s co-housing community in Acton, MA:
Bob and Ellen with morning coffee on steps of Bob and Pam’s place.
Bob and Pam’s place
Chicken coop and garden
Community house kitchen
Community house dining area
Community garden
The chicken coop
