Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: seeking balance

[Richart Keller (richart.keller]

Susan identified a need which really resonates with me and Ken's and
Patrick's thoughts point to a very productive way of addressing the need.
It has always seemed to me that cohousing can (and to some extent does)
offer special opportunities for addressing a variety of social justice
issues.  

A major challenge is to articulate the specifics in order to counter a
widespread view of cohousing, including among national policy wonks, that it
is for people with money and time to spare and doesn't offer much for low
income folks who are barely able to stay afloat and have little if any free
time.  

Would love to join in some brainstorming to expand the excellent list of
examples which Patrick suggested and develop specific practical strategies
to implement them.  

Maybe this could be the subject of a session at the national conference?
Might also be useful for some folks to identify and write up the relevant
needs, opportunities, and barriers to start the discussion.

Rick


Richart Keller, AICP
Pioneer Valley Cohousing
120 Pulpit Hill Road #25
Amherst, MA 01002
413-835-0011
401 486-2677 (cell)



-----Original Message-----
From: Patrick Hubbard [mailto:pbhubbard [at] gmail.com] 
Sent: Thursday, December 30, 2010 8:02 PM
To: Cohousing-L
Subject: Re: [C-L]_ seeking balance



Hi Susan,
I agree with Ken that Cohousing provides a real and inspiring alternative.
Pleasant Hill Cohousing's solar energy is one of your community's direct
examples of an alternative to foreign wars and petroleum-based economies.

Would you also be able to identify how the needs you would like to help
through social activism might be addressed through your time and energy in
your community.  For example,

   - Housing needs might be addressed through community-supported rentals;
   - Food needs might be addressed through community meals or gardens; or
   - Work needs might be addressed by hiring unemployed, local people.

Let me know what you think.

Take care,
Patrick Hubbard
Temescal Creek Cohousing - Oakland


On Thu, Dec 30, 2010 at 1:07 PM, <hedgpeth [at] berkeley.edu> wrote:

>
> Dear Cohousers,
>
> I'm trying to figure out how to balance the various parts of my life.  
> I work full-time, and I'm an active member of my cohousing community.  
> But that doesn't leave any time for social activism outside my 
> community. There is so much need out there in the world these days and 
> I want to help, but my community also needs my time and energy.  Are any
of you
> struggling with this?   Any ideas?  Thanks.
>
> Susan Hedgpeth
> Pleasant Hill Cohousing
> California
> http://phch.org
>
>
>
>
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