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Infusing Homelessness Services with Sociability. While running the mobile showers organization LavaMaeX, Kris Kepler learned that throwing the equivalent of festival-like events allowed social service providers to build connections with people experiencing homelessness, while providing opportunities for socializing. While LavaMaeX has closed its doors, they’ve released a toolkit to help organizers plan their own events. Similarly, the Project for Public Spaces-designed “Recharge Station” in NYC’s Times Square—beautifully captured in a segment on NY 1—encourages interactions between New Yorkers, regardless of housing status or mental health needs, while also connecting them with social services. (Next City)
The Farmers Market as a Social Hub. Farmers markets and grocery stores both offer food, and yet, as many of us know from personal experience, farmers markets are inherently more social places. In an article in the Gettysburg Times, a market manager explores the various factors that contribute to a farmers market’s sociability including programming, having a variety of vendors to engage with, and the more relaxing nature of being outdoors. (Gettysburg Times)
A Skatepark in the UK Invites Input from Kids. A collaboration between the Youth Commission and Art for Guernsey developed funding for making a local skatepark in the British Isles more vibrant through new murals. The artists involved with the project held community engagement workshops with local youth to encourage them to weigh in on the transformation and feel ownership over their beloved space. The changes will be launched along with a skate jam to bring locals out to celebrate (BBC).
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