Hidmo Community Empowerment Project Presents….
“Neighborhood Agreements”
A Cross-Cultural Dialogue Focused on Understanding Our Neighbors & Transforming Our Relationships From ‘Agreeable’ to Accountable
Residents, Community Organizations, Businesses hold cross-cultural forum on May 3.
SEATTLE —Hidmo Community Empowerment ProjectDepartment of Neighborhoods Seattle Parks & Recreation Neighborhood Agreements, Monday May 3rd5:30 to 7:30 p.m.Garfield on 2323 E. Cherry Street, Seattle.
A recent article in the explored the cultural ramifications of gentrification in Portland and Seattle’s Central District.Implicit in the article was the notion that the Central District is in cultural flux and would not find its identity for some time.That statement may be debatable, but most in the “CD” are aware of the changes, tensions, assets and needs of residents, youth, and institutions.With a community so rich in history, leadership and programming, how can we create a stronger community based on good will, trust, and the assets each individual brings to the table?
Participants in the May 3 “Neighborhood Agreements” event will be invited to share their history, culture and assets in order to shift our paradigm of deliberating and communicating.Our normal paradigm for convening is to hear from leaders who tell the “audience” what the agenda will be moving forward.While this event will begin with a large group discussion on the history of the CD from a multi-cultural perspective, the event will break into small groups using past or present interactions in the community as a catapult to understanding and community-building.
“This event is free, but it does come with a price,“ remarks H.C.E.P. director Jason Davison.“The price is to come as a participant who listens, learns and leads.This sounds ambitious, but really this event is about understanding our neighbors, our disagreements, and in the midst of what fractures us to find how we can support each other anyway.That’s what it means to be a neighbor.”
“Neighborhoods Agreements” is the seventh and final forum this Spring lead by neighbors, organizations, and the Hidmo Community Empowerment Project.This forum’s goal is to promote relationship and understanding as the mechanism of empowerment in the Central District.