As a child, I remember when the road in front of my house needed to be repaved; my father, along with the neighborhood men would get together and pave it. That was how things got done back then.
This month, I was reminded of that same community spirit when I interviewed Lauren Kilcoyne, Coordinator for the Time Exchange of the North Shore.
Here in Lynn, that sense of community lives on.
A community is born
The Time Exchange began in 1996 when a group of parents of children with developmental disabilities came together to offer each other babysitting and help with chores; simple but basic supports that made a difference.
As more people joined, they formalized the group into the Lynn Time Bank and received funding from the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDS). For every hour of service given, a person would bank an hour of service to be used when needed
Over the years, they realized the time bank should include everyone, not just people with disabilities and their families. Lauren describes the transition from the initial time bank into a larger community.
“We’ve reorganized in the last couple of years and have expanded from families within the DDS system to all populations, even expanding from Lynn to encompass the North Shore. We also include every ethnic group in our community since the area is so diverse.”
The organization’s new name, The Time Exchange of the North Shore, represents the wider community now being represented.
Everyone has something to offer
Lauren explains the reasons why people join the time exchange today.
“The sense of community is strong within the time bank membership. Meeting each other in the time exchange and putting faces to services makes it easier for people to request help”.
Presently there are 175 members of the Time Exchange of the North Shore that all give in a different way. There are tradesmen such as carpenters and electricians, along with others offering grocery shopping, companionship, childcare, and yard work.
Regardless of age, education or disability the idea of a time exchange is that everyone has something to offer their community; everyone.
And like the old days, neighbors are helping neighbors again and things get done.
Sound like a good idea?