Community Mentor Match
by Sharla Scullen | Apr 03, 2013
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Summary:
There is much wisdom in our city and there are already strong connections between neighbors in areas of the city. These connections can be expanded and new connections made stronger by matching need and wisdom. Utilizing social media, word of mouth and other methods residents who need support or information in any number of areas will be able to connect with other residents who have experience, expertise or knowledge to share.
Parenting, small space gardening, small engine repair, cooking, languages... the possibilities are endless. Every one of us has knowledge of something, every one of us has experience and wisdom. Imagine how beautiful our city would be if the knowledge of how to create the beautiful landscaping found in one neighbor's yard was shared with another neighbor across town! Imagine how connected our citizens would feel if they were able to see residents from all corners of the city as neighbors, just as much as they see residents on their own block as neighbors.
In the times we live in it is easier in many ways to connect and communicate through media rather than face to face. Community Mentor Match could let St. Paul residents share with or gain knowledge from others using media to connect, with face to face coming at a later time. Those friendly meetings could be encouraged and facilitated through periodic gatherings at sites around the city. At these gatherings, those who've connected through media can meet face to face, and those who'd like to connect or see in person what share knowledge is out there can meet up with other residents in a friendly setting.
St. Paul is a great place to live, and has great people living there. I know there are lots of things I'd like to learn from neighbors nearby and across town! This could be a great resource for new residents as well as life long St. Paul residents! It does need a better name, though.
About You
About You
First Name
Sharla
Last Name
Scullen
City
County
Country
United States
Website (if you have one)
Names of others who helped contribute to my idea
How did you hear about the Forever Saint Paul Challenge?
About Your Organization (if applicable)
Organization Name (if applicable)
Organization Website
Organization Phone
Organization Address
City
Organization Country
United States
Your idea
Title of your idea
Community Mentor Match
Give us the highlights of your idea for making Saint Paul great (2,000 characters maximum or approx. 250 words)
There is much wisdom in our city and there are already strong connections between neighbors in areas of the city. These connections can be expanded and new connections made stronger by matching need and wisdom. Utilizing social media, word of mouth and other methods residents who need support or information in any number of areas will be able to connect with other residents who have experience, expertise or knowledge to share.
Parenting, small space gardening, small engine repair, cooking, languages... the possibilities are endless. Every one of us has knowledge of something, every one of us has experience and wisdom. Imagine how beautiful our city would be if the knowledge of how to create the beautiful landscaping found in one neighbor's yard was shared with another neighbor across town! Imagine how connected our citizens would feel if they were able to see residents from all corners of the city as neighbors, just as much as they see residents on their own block as neighbors.
In the times we live in it is easier in many ways to connect and communicate through media rather than face to face. Community Mentor Match could let St. Paul residents share with or gain knowledge from others using media to connect, with face to face coming at a later time. Those friendly meetings could be encouraged and facilitated through periodic gatherings at sites around the city. At these gatherings, those who've connected through media can meet face to face, and those who'd like to connect or see in person what share knowledge is out there can meet up with other residents in a friendly setting.
St. Paul is a great place to live, and has great people living there. I know there are lots of things I'd like to learn from neighbors nearby and across town! This could be a great resource for new residents as well as life long St. Paul residents! It does need a better name, though.
Website address (if applicable)
Innovation
What makes your idea different or unexpected? (4000 characters maximum or approx. 500 words)
I'm not sure how "different" it is. I think of it as an updated take on an age old practice of sharing recipes across the backyard fence or loaning a tool to the neighbor across the street and having fun at neighborhood gatherings from time to time. The innovation is the manner in which residents connect and the community gatherings that will support new relationships and the sharing of knowledge across the city-sized-neighborhood that will result.
Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
How will your idea make a difference in Saint Paul? (4000 characters maximum or approx. 500 words)
Neighbors from different parts of the city can connect with others to share or receive knowledge and information. We can all become smarter, stronger, more knowledgeable and more connected to each other and the city where we live, work, worship or play. The most livable city can become the friendliest, most neighborly city in a modern, city-wide way!
New residents, as well as life long residents can share their wisdom with folks who need to learn something new!
Sustainability
Why do you think people will recognize or remember your idea after it comes to life? How might it inspire others to do something similar in their community? (4000 characters maximum or approx. 500 words)
Once the system is created for residents to connect, sponsorships can be sought to keep it updated and functional and adapted to advances in communications technology. This may end up being something like the bulletin board at the neighborhood coffee shop, but instead of grabbing the business card or tearing off the phone number, residents will have a virtual hub where they can connect and share wisdom. The whole city will be like one neighborhood in this respect, with wisdom shared across blocks, rather than just across fences. Other cities, especially those that are more geographically spread out, may choose to replicate this model and build understanding and neighborliness across their entire city.
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Mentor match also needs a lot
Mentor match also needs a lot of preparation. At least we would be able to know what would be our move. - YOR Health