February BLOCK Newsletter
Well, y'all, it's been a minute hasn't it?
Time flies when you're having fun. (Plus the grief, that too.) It's no excuse for my delay, but it's been great to be SEEING MANY OF YOU more regularly! Host Cafes have been lovely.
Hellos and Goodbyes:
We have some new hosts and residents in the mix!
Hello! Hosts: Louise + Greg (Mt Baker): (this family already has a permit, but had to step away temporarily for family related things, and they're now back!)
Hello! Hosts: Abbie + Tanner (Ballard)
Hello! Hosts: Jen + Dave (yet another Crown Hill)
Hello! Host: Mary (West Seattle)
Hopefully I'll get to share a snippet of their stories in the future, but for now feel free to reach out and say hello!
Confidentiality:
We're actively shifting to create more safety, privacy, and consent around for our Residents and Hosts. For Residents, this can look like many things, from not requesting them to participate in promotional material, to removing identifiable information from our website and social media. Some folx in this community are survivors of domestic abuse. Others simply say "I just want to be left in peace like a normal human, OK?" (Can we get a hallelujah for those boundaries!?!) Facing Homelessness' approach of bringing a face and a name to the issue of homelessness has swept the world, AND when it comes to The BLOCK Project, we may need to go the opposite direction. This will come in the form of removing any resident names from the website, making it harder to determine which hosts are matched with residents, not sharing addresses, etc. Similar guides will apply to hosts, mostly coming in the form of only using first names, not including addresses, etc. Got questions or feedback? Please reach out!
Community Support:
Networks are a dime a dozen, but we're really interested in building "a net that works" in this community. Yes, that means YOU. (FYI, I learned that net-that-works term at an UNBELIEVABLE workshop I attended by the Black Prisioner's Caucus years back - check ‘em out!) Wouldn't it be great if folks in this network were there for you when you needed it most? What if someone brought you a warm meal when a loved one is hospitalized, or you have a baby, or are just in deep need of support? Maybe our hosts could benefit from companions too, or want to gather in small groups to connect more intimately? Well, now is your chance to tell me what "community" means to you. Dream big. We'll take your ideas, and see what is possible. It takes a village, and we've got one! :)
Host Cafes:
One of my favorite teachers is adrienne maree brown, who says "less prep, more presence" when it comes to meetings. Y'all - you have been delivering. These gatherings have been the LIFE BLOOD of my week, and I'm so grateful for all the brilliance and vulnerability you've brought. To all Hosts who have attended, thank you for showing up in your full selves. Here are some nuggets of wisdom and vulnerability from Hosts when discussing how scarcity/control shows up in our own trauma-stories:
“When I feel scarcity of time, or I'm crossing that threshold, I feel my heart rate increases, I feel anxious, and it shows up in the form of stoicism. It bleeds into my ability to have compassion." #slowingdown #noticing
"I live within means, and could be considered minimalist. This filters over into The BLOCK Project, in my thoughts and dialogue. Nothing is free - everything costs something to someone. Sometimes I don't have the capacity or bandwidth to support someone [without consent.] Communication is key." #boundaries #honesty
"Knowing myself, I can project finding the "edge" of my compassion (and some tension) when I offer X,Y,Z thing, and then something else is requested, and it continues beyond what I offered." #boundaries #noticing
"I can see myself wanting to maintain control over noise after a certain time. Hosting has the potential to disrupt the peace that I have in the house. I'm noticing I have an expectation to maintain that peace, but also see the power position I'm in as the home-owner can easily disrupt peer dynamics with a Resident. What does it mean to have that expectation?" #noticing
Action + Advocacy:
As often as we can, I hope to highlight ways that this unbelievably community can mobilize in showing up for legislative change (Special thanks to our MSW Practicum from the UW, Angie, and Jennifer Tee for bringing the opportunities below.)
Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Days are coming up the 2nd week of February! You can register here with Washington Low Income Housing Alliance to participate virtually based on your capacity
Speak Up Pop Ups hosted by Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness are occurring every Tuesday evening from 5:30-6:30 until 4/20/21: "These Pop-Ups will help people with all levels of experience get the information they need to get involved with state legislative advocacy, and serve as a virtual gathering space for people who want to get the baseline information about the 2021 state legislative session to be an effective advocate."
Inspiration + Art:
Here is a 13 minute long video, which our Interim ED Sue shared with our team. Recommended to have some time to sit with it afterward. The description is: A hip-hop odyssey using footage spanning a decade. Welcome to the stormy inner world of one Congolese-American coming of age in the US. Trigger warning: it [artistically] depicts the Black experience in America, police brutality, and racial discrimination.
Alrighty - that's it for now. Ta-ta, much love.
Barron Peper
Architect + Relationship Officer