Everyone needs support in their life to be successful.

It may begin with physical support, someone to take care of us as a child and later, depending on needs, as an adult. We also have a basic need to know that someone cares, for it is this basic caring and respect for one another that will truly make a difference in our lives.

A sense of community is lost

There was a time when our local communities provided this support, with each member contributing regardless of age or disability.

Yet as society and government grew, we began to pay people to provide support and our sense of community was lost in the process. This was never the intent, as social services were supposed to create additional support not replace our communities.
But the truth is most of us don’t even know our neighbors anymore, never mind other people in our town to help us out when needed. Simple tasks such as shoveling the driveway, raking leaves or maybe buying groceries can be overwhelming if you have to pay someone because you can no longer do it yourself.

Time exchanges build community

The good news is  there are groups known as time exchanges that are bringing our communities back. Their approach is to bring people together committed to supporting one another and building a community based on mutual respect. Every member, regardless of age or disability, has something to offer based on their strengths and interests while in exchange, they receive donated services as needed.
This month we will introduce The Time Exchange of the North Shore (TENS), a successful program in our local area. Through interviews with their director, Lynn Kilcoyne and one of their members, Michael Doherty, you will be reminded of a simpler time when people went out of their way for one another simply because they cared about the people in their community.
As you read about the Time Exchange, think about your own community and how it provides support to you or someone you know with a disability . . . and if not, is it time to think about creating a time exchange in your community?