Comments on: A City of Learners http://www.brewedfreshdaily.com/2008/03/27/a-city-of-learners/ News and opinion from Cleveland, Ohio on a variety of topics Mon, 12 May 2008 01:16:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Georgia Reash http://www.brewedfreshdaily.com/2008/03/27/a-city-of-learners/#comment-542747 Georgia Reash Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:43:32 +0000 http://www.brewedfreshdaily.com/2008/03/27/a-city-of-learners/#comment-542747 I remember talking to a woman on welfare two years ago who went to a community meeting; they suggested that she use technology to explore job resources or training. She looked at me and said, "technology? I'm just trying to get my ex to pay child support, get out of the Projects, keep my kids in school, scare the gangs away, and stay sober. I'm not sure I can fit in any time web surfing". Education, support and personal vision are part of part of what simultaneously needs to happen for people in order for us rebuild the economy - not only for the brain drain population, but for those struggling to survive. Which, right now, is about 1/4 of the metro region. I remember talking to a woman on welfare two years ago who went to a community meeting; they suggested that she use technology to explore job resources or training.

She looked at me and said, “technology? I’m just trying to get my ex to pay child support, get out of the Projects, keep my kids in school, scare the gangs away, and stay sober. I’m not sure I can fit in any time web surfing”.

Education, support and personal vision are part of part of what simultaneously needs to happen for people in order for us rebuild the economy - not only for the brain drain population, but for those struggling to survive. Which, right now, is about 1/4 of the metro region.

]]> By: Derek Arnold http://www.brewedfreshdaily.com/2008/03/27/a-city-of-learners/#comment-542714 Derek Arnold Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:42:52 +0000 http://www.brewedfreshdaily.com/2008/03/27/a-city-of-learners/#comment-542714 I agree, Ward. When people are deprived of educational opportunities, especially in an economy increasingly predicated on knowledge, hope fades to the point to where it obscures the opportunities that are available so people turn to less than optimal outcomes such as crime. I agree, Ward.

When people are deprived of educational opportunities, especially in an economy increasingly predicated on knowledge, hope fades to the point to where it obscures the opportunities that are available so people turn to less than optimal outcomes such as crime.

]]> By: Georgia Reash http://www.brewedfreshdaily.com/2008/03/27/a-city-of-learners/#comment-542700 Georgia Reash Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:42:45 +0000 http://www.brewedfreshdaily.com/2008/03/27/a-city-of-learners/#comment-542700 Ward, great to hear from you! I like your definition of hope as personal vision. My experience is that this sense of personal vision is the core FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENT to successful and sustainable community building: the individual characteristic that moves people toward their personal life potential. Given your work at LMM, I am sure you see folks striving to reclaim, find or unearth their personal vision (aren't we all?). No matter if you are rich or poor, black or white, this sense of intrinsic vision is the GOLDEN COMPASS. Wouldn't it be cool if every community planning project added that goal to their development efforts: how will this project support people's development of their personal vision? Somehow, over the years, we've lost this as part of creating the "heart of community". How can we teach vision? What if we taught children and families personal vision making? Ward, great to hear from you!

I like your definition of hope as personal vision. My experience is that this sense of personal vision is the core FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENT to successful and sustainable community building: the individual characteristic that moves people toward their personal life potential.

Given your work at LMM, I am sure you see folks striving to reclaim, find or unearth their personal vision (aren’t we all?). No matter if you are rich or poor, black or white, this sense of intrinsic vision is the GOLDEN COMPASS.

Wouldn’t it be cool if every community planning project added that goal to their development efforts: how will this project support people’s development of their personal vision?

Somehow, over the years, we’ve lost this as part of creating the “heart of community”.

How can we teach vision? What if we taught children and families personal vision making?

]]> By: Ward Pallotta http://www.brewedfreshdaily.com/2008/03/27/a-city-of-learners/#comment-542648 Ward Pallotta Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:08:05 +0000 http://www.brewedfreshdaily.com/2008/03/27/a-city-of-learners/#comment-542648 I think that learning and hope (personal vision) go hand in hand, one stimulating the other. I look forward to your exploration. I think that learning and hope (personal vision) go hand in hand, one stimulating the other. I look forward to your exploration.

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