At The Link

Our latest NeighborLink Fort Wayne Small Things Series video. Ed is a neighbor of mine and an incredible human being. He does what no one else wants to do, everyday, and he’s such a nice guy that he stops and talks to just about everyone along the way. 

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If you’ve heard me tell the story of how I got involved with Neighborlink, then you’ve probably heard about Jean. My journey at NLFW really began when I first met her. I learned what is meant to be  vulnerable homeowner, why neighborhoods have room to become better, I even got to know a girl who later became my wife. All because I selected Jean’s project. 

Jean lives extremely independent but is in need of help again. Her home is deteriorating around her and has some major problems. She still vulnerable and an easy target for any dishonest person who could help.

The projects are beyond my ability to meet immediately and I’m not exactly sure how this one will play out. 

I know enough to know that this is a prime spot where the Lord has me to teach me something new. Oh boy. 

My Birthday < NeighborLink

I turn 32 in 2 days. Not a huge deal to me, but I know my friends, family, and the hundred or so people that will wish me well on Facebook & Twitter will be celebrating with me.

About 2 months ago, a friend of mine approached me about giving up her birthday for NeighborLink after being inspired by all that Charity: Water has done over the years with their birthday campaigns where they invite you to give up your birthday to raise money to build wells. Her desire is to keep that money and energy local and support vulnerable homeowners that we help at NL.

I’m inspired by Alison, who works for a nonprofit herself, in her willingness to give up her special day. She has since inspired one of her friends, Christy, and myself to give up our birthdays. We’ve now got enough energy to behind this to create an entire campaign. The forces are working behind this, because it’s NeighborLink’s 10th year as an organization this year and now we can celebrate properly.

Here is my video and the campaign’s video. Please help me raise $800 for a senior citizen named, Lorraine who desperately needs some new plumbing. 100% of your donation will go to that project. I’ll make sure to tell you all about it if you make a donation.

My Fundraising Page - Donate Here

"A series of case studies reveals that creating greater civic participation in communities like San Jose, Calif., Akron, Ohio and St. Paul, Minn., is easier when residents are involved in meaningful ways around issues that impact them, like area and neighborhood redevelopment."

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Agreed

Strong neighborhood associations key to successful community engagement - Knight Foundation

"You are responsible to everyone, but you’re responsible for yourself. I believe we’re responsible to everyone for something, even if it’s something as basic as an affirmation of their humanity. However, it should most often go far beyond that and manifest itself in service to others, to being a voice for the voiceless. If you’re reading this, there are those around you who toil under burdens larger than yours, who stand in need of touch and respect and chances. Conversely, though, you’re responsible for yourself. Nobody else is going to find success for you, and nobody else is going to instill happiness into you from the outside. That’s on you."

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What Are the Top 10 Things That We Should Be Informed About in Life?

Brilliant List! 

The Power of a Paintbrush

NLFW.org Hack-A-Thon Event

I’m at it again with the NLFW.org website. There hasn’t been a month go by since I started at NLFW 5 years ago that we haven’t been working on the website. The current platform launched in the fall of 2010 and it’s time for a major overhaul due to how our users are using the system today. 

We’ve got some exciting changes in store that are sure to help individuals connect with one another more easily. All in the name of fulfilling our mission of practical neighbor-to-neighbor expressions of God’s love. 

We’re hosting a Hack-A-Thon event on Friday, April 26th. We’re partnering with a innovative and tech oriented co-working space called, Founders. They’re great and have been willing to leverage their network of developers to help us get as much of the website developed as possible. 

Details can be found by clicking the image below. Join us if you can. Even if it’s to hangout that night. 

Making Progress

It only took us 5 years, but I think we’re making some progress with some of our web technology at NLFW. Below is a snapshot of some online conversation between NL members who were trying to organize a project. 

This little chat is significant because over 15 comments were made online between people that have never met but were coming together in order to help a mother of two battling Leukemia move houses this past weekend. 

NLFW.org has believed technological & web-based tools like this one could connect believers in a city that have a heart for helping their neighbors in need. We’ve had this Comments function on our site for a few years now and until this project never had more than a few comments go back and forth between members. 

The website is usually used like an online bulletin board and sees our Coaches select a project and take it back to their community. Nothing wrong with this method, but we’re hoping that we see this type of online organizing activity begin to take root at NLFW.org. 

Its the hope my technology team has been wishing for as we continue to develop our platform to be the tool that eliminates as many barriers as possible to engagement. 

We’re going to be a strong community because of it. Strangers connecting to help strangers makes for great stories of connection and transformation, which leads to us becoming better Christ-followers and Neighbors.