During the recent snowstorm, my friend and local activist Julie, who is familiar with the goals of the SOAR platform, commented that if it were already in place many people who were out in the cold could have been supported by the coordinated efforts of the community. Last evening, Juan Carlos Valle commented that this tool would have been useful "15 years ago." It hurts to know how urgent is the need and how long it takes to meet it.
The good news is that MVP Studio is a partnership of 5 local tech professionals who want to bring the civic-minded projects initiated at Hack-for-a-Cause forward to full functionality and that ECAN is now partnered with MVP in the project launch of SOAR. I am both excited to have this support and sobered by the amount of technical work it is going to take to do this successfully.
I expect that the first iteration (and there will be several, in response to feedback) of the SOAR platform will stir a great deal of interest. If you're one of those early adopters, contact me about being part of the beta testing.
Thanks to private donors who have placed their trust in the ECAN mission, we have the funds for online hosting of SOAR for the first year. I'm building a lean budget for the next three years that may actually put ECAN into the category of a self-sustaining social enterprise, which would be wonderful. You could be part of that amazing leap if you wish; you could be a co-creator.
If you missed it last month, see the 7-minute video of software engineers reflecting on the significance of the SOAR networking platform or my 5-minute presentation on the purpose and features of SOAR.
Another village! With the help of many community partners, Sponsors broke ground on its Tiny Homes Village on Friday, April 5. Stay tuned for construction updates on this landmark project this summer. Then help celebrate at the Dedication Ceremony when the project is completed this fall!
 From left: Sheriff Byron Trapp,
Nir Pearlson (architect of project), Executive Director Paul Solomon, Steve Christiansen (Chair of Board of Directors), Steve Mokrohisky (Lane County Administration), and County Commissioner Pat Farr
Seems like the SquareOne Villages model is becoming a new norm! New Kenton Women's Village opens with new pods in Portland.
Are there any members of our compassionate action network with sewing skills who would be willing to follow the lead of surgical technician Veronica Marella to make sleeping mats she made out of used surgical instrument wraps? A local surgery center has been holding aside their wraps and now has two bags full. The 4-by-4-foot sheets are durable, waterproof and retain heat. Heather Sielicki has access to a considerable, ongoing surplus of these wraps for this project.
Events
From noon on Good Friday until noon on Easter Sunday, Rev. Wayne Martin, retired United Church of Christ Pastor, will be holding a vigil in downtown Eugene with and for people who have no safe place to sleep. The 48-hour vigil coincides with the holy days of Easter, Passover, and Ramadan.
Members of the faith community are cordially invited to be present for an hour or so of conversation or silence. Vigil locations throughout the 48 hours will be posted on an easel in Kesey Square. The vigil will close with prayers and music.
Hope is the rocket fuel of social change. I am going to The Soul, Science & Culture of Hope, Thu, April 18,1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
"The symposium concludes with a discussion about the culture of HOPE and how families, schools, youth serving organizations and communities can implement a strategy that models how all children can succeed, No Exceptions!
If you are looking for a way to demonstrate how a village actually does raise and educate a child don’t miss this opportunity."
Check out this profile of Richard Miller and watch his Ted talk to get a flavor of what this is about: https://isearch.asu.edu/profile/468951
Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 7 PM – 9 PM, Cooperation Eugene offers a free Study Circle: systems change and the regenerative economy beginning with "EMERGENT STRATEGY Shaping Change, Changing Worlds" by adrienne maree brown (available at Tsunami Books or from https://www.akpress.org/emergentstrategy.html). Participants will choose follow up topics from a list of books, articles, podcasts, videos. No commitment beyond first session required. Please register to be notified of location by sending email with name and phone number.
Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18: Peace-building through Dialogue, a Restorative Justice Facilitation Training -- "Mending the harm through bridge-building dialogue"
Good Reads
This longish post Taking on the impossible explains why I am so crazy about building community.
Joanna Macy describes The Community Awaiting Us
The purpose of Emerald Compassionate Action Network
is to illuminate and activate people's deep need
to contribute to the lives of others.
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