ABCD Training Coming to Whatcom County

Imagine NW! will be offering a 2-day training on ABCD in Bellingham, WA.

This is for any and all Whatcom County residents, groups, associations, agencies or faith-communities.

Come one come all.

Go here for details.

Asset-Based Community Development provides a new paradigm that focuses on the gifts and strengths (ASSETS) of the residents, their associations and eventually their institutions.

Dreaming, Believing and Acting TOGETHER, any neighborhood or community can make life better for all.

Houston - ABCD Training

Wow what a great time being with such wonderful, caring, community-minded people! This happened in Houston Texas for me on August 13-14th.

I had the grand opportunity to provide these good folks our 2-day Asset-Based Community Development training. We had over 30 people there.

I continue to be amazed and thoroughly encouraged with how hungry people are to receive this sort of training...that is the principles and practices of ABCD. Just tons of confirmation that this is right-on-stuff for a wide spectrum of communities and neighborhoods.

One participant came up to me at the end of the first day to tell me, "Jeff I just about jumped out of my chair, when you talked about meeting people and listening to them in 'one-on-ones". I had this very thought just last week, 'I have got to go to my neighbors and talk with them'".

More was shared just like this from others!

My dear friend and colleague, George Montoya from the Communities First Association, joined me and team taught this group. I was blessed by George's presence and service to this Houston community.

Both George and I are very eager to see how the training helps add value to what is ALREADY good that is going on in a number of neighborhoods and communities in or near Houston. Go for it!

AmeriCorps Review

Two of our Seattle AmeriCorps sites were graced by Ms. Ruth Lampi from the AmeriCorps offices in Washington DC. Ruth visited with the Green Bean and Awake site supervisors and members July 28 and 29. Annually the federal program sends their program officer to one or more locations to review how things are going. This year, our northwest region received this review. I participated in both interviews by Ruth.

The first day the Awake - Aurora site was interviewed. Ben Katt (Site Supervisor) and Karen Cirulli (Member) and I spent time in the office with Ruth. Later we all went on a tour of the neighborhood on Aurora Ave, to see some of the activity that is part of Karen's work.

We were able to see the community garden and the under construction "Aurora Sharehouse". Very good stuff!

The next day, Ruth met with the Green Bean - Greenwood Neighborhood site. Summer Mohrlang (Site Supervisor) and Dan Moses (Member) spent time with Ruth and myself. As well, they took Ruth on a tour of the area near the old burned down Green Bean, and its new vibrant site today. Again, very good community stuff going on!


(AmeriCorps Member Dan Moses at the Green Bean)


(Dan Moses, Ruth, Summer Mohrlang, Jeff)


(Ben Katt, Karen Cirulli, Jeff, Ruth at the Aurora Community Garden)


(Karen, Ruth, Ben at the Aurora Sharehouse)