In Chicago, most of the folks that come through DOOR get a chance to work with Openlands. Openlands is an urban gardening project that walks alongside different neighborhood blocks to tend to gardens throughout the Westside. DOOR participants often learn more history of the neighborhood and of the people on the block than they do tending to the weeds and flowers and anything else they are asked to do. I appreciate that. Gardening with local people, participants learn about what is a weed as well as a personal story that often spans decades. The following is a tour of some of the many gardens that DOOR spends time. Velma Jackson, a leader in gardening on the west side passed away this year, is featured as a living tribute of the importance of green space in Chicago.
http://vimeo.com/4337450
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
"Help" Homeless
I admit that I am a bit of a blog junkie – its where I get news, opinions, cooking ideas and even comics. One way, I keep learning about my city is blogs. This morning, I read this blog -http://www.uptownupdate.com/2009/07/helping-those-who-live-in-parks.html.
Reading the text and the comments outlines an interesting debate about how people look at things differently. The alderman (who in other places might be called a councilperson) has started a program to “help” homeless folks by going into the parks and when coming across someone who is assumed homeless letting them know about services that can be provided and a reminder that folks are not allowed to sleep in the park. Is this really helpful? A writer on the blog wrote as if this was a true service, and many commenters believe that it is a disservice.
I am solidly in the camp of the many commenters thinking this is a disservice and a way for the alderwoman and men to usher people they would rather have hidden into hiding. And yet, I understand how this can be understood as a way to help. Many times, “help” is help to some and harm for others. What are some things that could be seen in both ways in your home area?
Reading the text and the comments outlines an interesting debate about how people look at things differently. The alderman (who in other places might be called a councilperson) has started a program to “help” homeless folks by going into the parks and when coming across someone who is assumed homeless letting them know about services that can be provided and a reminder that folks are not allowed to sleep in the park. Is this really helpful? A writer on the blog wrote as if this was a true service, and many commenters believe that it is a disservice.
I am solidly in the camp of the many commenters thinking this is a disservice and a way for the alderwoman and men to usher people they would rather have hidden into hiding. And yet, I understand how this can be understood as a way to help. Many times, “help” is help to some and harm for others. What are some things that could be seen in both ways in your home area?
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