A great opportunity to build community!

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Impact Silver Spring is excited to launch its Reading for IMPACT campaign! Please consider participating as a book group host or participant. See details below!

IMPACT Silver Spring is a learning organization. We draw inspiration from local and national community-building pioneers and thought-leaders to help us catalyze and strengthen new and innovative approaches to building strong, vibrant, and inclusive communities. This year, we are delighted to welcome Peter Block as the featured guest at our annual IMPACT NOW! event, which is free and open to the community.

Peter is the co-author of the best-selling book, The Abundant Community: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods. In his book, Peter shows us how strengthening social connections and re-weaving the social fabric at the neighborhood and local level can improve the common measures of community well-being – economy, education, health, safety, and the environment.

As a precursor to the event, we are launching our Reading for IMPACT campaign, and inviting people to read and discuss Abundant Community together. Here are 3 ways you can participate:

#1 – Host a Book Group! 
As a host, you will: Attend a host orientation on Wednesday January 20, 2015 from 6:00 to 8pm. Organize a group of your friends, neighbors, or colleagues to read the book together.
Set a time and place for your book group meeting. Record a few reflections after your discussion. Encourage your book group members to participate in online conversations through Facebook and Twitter.  And join Peter Block for a community-wide conversation at IMPACT NOW! on Wednesday April 6, 2015 at 6pm.
Here is what you will get:  A free book!  A short summary of the book translated into Spanish.
A simple book group guide that will include suggested questions to guide your discussion.
A stipend to purchase snacks for your book group gathering.  And special recognition at IMPACT NOW!

#2 – Participate in a Book Group!
Let us know if you are interested in joining a book group, and we can help connect you.

#3 – Participate in IMPACT’s Virtual Book Group!
As you read the book, we invite you to engage in online conversations with other book group readers through Facebook and/or Twitter. Facebook conversations will be hosted on the Reading for IMPACT Facebook Group. Twitter users are encouraged to use the hashtag #read4impact to chat with one another.

Please indicate your interest by emailing us at read@impactsilverspring.org

IMPACT Silver Spring
P.O. Box 8397
Silver Spring, MD 20907

Phone: (301) 298-5117
www.impactsilverspring.org

2015 Exchange Stories

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Ibolya+and+Zoe+hike.jpg

“Zoe is new to the area and had requested a hiking partner. I picked her up just before noon, and we drove to Great Falls on the Maryland side. This glorious, sunny but crisp early fall day was perfect for hiking, and the huge parking lot was almost full! We walked along the C&O canal and saw the mules getting ready for the barge demonstration. The borrow-a-bike volunteers were offering bikes for anyone who wanted to go for a ride. We walked past them, past the barge, and past the entrance to the walkway to Great Falls. We got on the Billy Goat trail. It was very busy, with large groups, small groups, children, young people, and the not so young. We thoroughly enjoyed the hike. We stopped and admired the kayakers on the river, the sun, the clouds, and the trees which were starting to display fall color. On our way back, we admired the falling waters at Great Falls. This was Zoe's first time there. As I drove her home, we agreed that we will do this again!”  

Ibolya I. 10/17/15

"I asked timebank member Laura K. to make her sunflower-shaped spinach/kale/ricotta pie for the party celebrating the 22nd anniversary of my book club. The pie was a big hit–everyone thought it looked so pretty. And it tasted good too! I *HEART* Timebank!!" 

Tina S. 10/29/15

“Bike Tune-ups – Woo Hoo! I've started biking for local transportation and found that a timebank member offered bike tune-ups. As it happens, Dana lives only a few blocks away from me in Silver Spring. He bike-commutes to downtown D.C. and loves to work on bikes. I spent time with my bike at his workshop, and it was so much fun! First, my bike was never so well-tuned. Second, he showed me how to patch a tire, which I'd never done on the fly but am now much better prepared to do when necessary. Third, he gave great advice about things to ask the bike shop to do–like truing a tire. And best, saved for last, Dana is a delightful fellow whom I would not have met but for the Silver Spring Timebank. I'm happy to promote him through the Timebank, and it’s great to see that his fame is spreading!”  

Jonathan B. 7/11/15

“I had a dress I wanted shortened. It has a lining, and that made it too big a job to do myself. Alteration by a tailor was too expensive. I checked the services offered through the Silver Spring Timebank and found Mary C. She really knows how to sew. It took her just an hour and half. I had already earned the hours I needed. It feels good to give something and get something back. The circle is complete. I may wear the dress to the next timebank potluck!”   

Julia R. 6/25/15

“My husband and I were invited to a party but couldn’t leave our new puppy Kea home alone. I asked timebank member Tina if she could dog-sit. I had gotten to know Tina a little bit through some timebank activities, and that helped me feel comfortable entrusting my dog to her. First, we arranged a meet-and-greet to introduce Kea to Tina’s dog Hachiko. On the night of the party, Kea was happy to go back to Tina’s house and had a fantastic time with the whole Slater family. We knew she was in good hands, so we could not only attend–but also enjoy–the party.”  

Laura K. 10/6/15  

Clothing Swap: November 2015

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WE ASKED PARTICIPANTS, “WHAT WAS YOUR BEST ‘FIND’ TODAY?”

  • “I found a really cool work jacket for a job interview.  That’s the thing I came here looking for!” –Sydney 
  •  “I found a nice dress for my niece, and I may have found another one while talking to you.  I shop for my niece.  That’s what I do.”
  • “I got waffle-weave men’s shirts.  Better yet is the fact that I took less than I put down.” –Jay 
  • “I got a two-piece suit for my husband, and I hope it fits!” –Lisa 
  • “The clothing swap was wonderful!  I scored some awesome finds and loved getting to see other people pick up and take the things I had brought as well.” –Christy 
  •  “I got some clothing for my toddler, like this little Old Navy sweater.  She is 13 months old, and she can wear it now.  But I also got stuff for when she’s two!” –Maria 
  •  “I love this black and pink zig-zagged dressy dress!” –Eden 
  • “I got a cute tunic top.”
  • “I brought a great sweater that hasn’t really worked in my wardrobe, and I’m thrilled that someone else will have it and love it.” –Ellen 
  • “I found good clothes for my son.  He’s an adult but very, very slim.  It’s hard to find clothes for him, but today I got him sweaters and tops.” –Maya
  • “I was glad to contribute some clothes, and I was hoping to leave with nothing.  But this one skirt kept calling my name.” –Laura
  • “An awesome pair of mittens.”  
  • “This swap is fabulous.  As my daughter gets older, we can ‘recycle’ her clothes and get more.  Also, I was happy to find some maternity clothing since I’m having another baby.” –Katie  
  • “I am trying to do some projects with wool sweaters, so I took some with nice patterns and others for felting.” –Lisa
  • “I got clothes for my three girls who came today and for my three boys who stayed home.” –Beatrice
  • “Shoes!!!” –Beatrice’s daughter

The SSTB was pleased to donate any remaining clothes to Shepherd's Table and A Wider Circle.