We learned many things in the first "experiment" of taking RP to the streets. We learned location and timing are very important to people who may not travel by personal cars. We learned that celebrating and "breaking bread" together builds community and allows people to share what they have to offer. We learned helium balloons attract attention and that planning ahead for 6 weeks is hard when you live on the margins of the city. We summarized our top three learnings as:
- Community means building relationships- working towards a trusted and safe space that looks for positive, proactive ideas and actions from diverse voices and parts of the community.
-RP offered in the local community (neighborhood), as well as in schools/legal system and faith based groups, offers the foundation for problem solving skills, life giving - justice engaging ideas, and empowered actions.
- We have found that, to have an influential and committed voice, facilitators need to be a part of the community (ecological validity/incarnational), not just the outside expert. (The Life World vs. The System World)
Here are a few of the responses we received from the conference participants . . .
“I loved the emphasis on the strengths that people with mental health issues bring.”
“Something that I found helpful was seeing the ‘lessons learned’ being seriously considered for course correction.”
“Something that I found helpful was that everyone who works with your group lives in the city.”
“I wondered whether or not you will do this again—build on, refine, go forward.”
“Something I found helpful was the honest appraisal and sharing from the presenters, their genuine concern for community members, and that they are living in this community.”
Where do we go from here? We have recently obtained space for a centrally located RCI center at St Paul's parish house basement. The space will allow RCI to start a Materials Resource Center (MRC) in Allentown. It will also permit RCI to have a dedicated space to hold trainings, circles and conferences. We are hoping to begin the MRC in the next month as we work out set up and delivery issues. After the MRC has begun we plan to continue offering a place for relationship building and community outreach by offering RP circles and training in the Allentown community. We also need to continue to build the legal and internal structure of RCI.
INFORMATION on the MRC
The Material Resources Center in Ephrata, Pa., is a central collection point for items donated by people in the United States who are responding to requests for materials from MCC partners.
Volunteering is central to the efforts of the Material Resources Center. The work of checking and packing kits, making comforters, hand-quilting heirloom quilts, and recycling and shipping is done through volunteer efforts.