A group of Islanders, concerned about the current economic climate and its impact on Vashon residents, has come together to ensure people find the resources they need to get through some of the hard stretches that may lie ahead.
The group has distributed posters and fliers listing resources for Islanders “in tough times” and plans to hold community gatherings on issues affecting the community — including the role of social service organizations and Island residents during those difficult times.
The brainchild of Island activists Bill Moyer and Bob Spivey, Vision for Vashon is a volunteer collective with far-reaching goals.
Volunteers hope to make Islanders aware of the groups that can help residents as well as ways residents can help those groups.
Vision for Vashon members hope to improve synergy among Island organizations with common or overlapping goals, while keeping sight of longer term issues such as the environment and sustainability.
“The discussion already in the country was that many people were saying the environmental agenda may have to take second seat to the pressing economic crisis,” Spivey said. “I’ve seen that happening nationally, and I didn’t want that to happen here. I can’t affect what is happening nationally, but I can do what I can here.”
He said the collective has met a few times, and more than two dozen people have become a part of Vision for Vashon’s Google discussion group and made suggestions for its upcoming plans.
The group’s flier, its first accomplishment, aims to connect Islanders who need help with the groups that can help them, such as the Interfaith Council on Homelessness and Vashon Youth and Family Services. It also informs Islanders how they can help out those same organizations, such as how and what to donate to Vashon Maury Community Food Bank.
Next, the group plans to hold several community events, beginning with a Feb. 1 community potluck meal that focuses on those in need.
“The idea is to have an event that could be a speak-out for people who might feel a little bit of shame about being in need,” Spivey said. “There may be some shame that needs to be expressed, or there may be some stories that need to be shared.”
He said organization volunteers or staff will also be on hand at the dinner to offer information to Islanders seeking support.
Following the potluck, Vision for Vashon will host a forum between service providers and community members, Spivey said.
A following event will be a community-wide public forum, addressing the economic climate as well as other issues relevant to the Island, he said.
Attendees will break out into small groups to discuss topics such as “food security, ride sharing and other transportation issues, a local exchange currency, political advocacy,” he said.
Though Spivey, Moyer and other Vision for Vashon members are active in Island nonprofits and organizations, Spivey stressed that the collective is not affiliated with any Vashon group.
“It is just an effort of a few of us, as citizens of Vashon, trying to get together to create something that is as broad as possible,” he said. “While we’re not an organization that can directly provide help to Islanders, we’re trying to get a little more organized to make help available.”
He said the community is brimming with positive energy and good ideas, and Vision for Vashon is just one way to focus those ideas into action.
“I’m excited,” he said. “The energy we’ve already seen at the meetings, and the enthusiasm — I think there’s a lot of potential, and I hope we can harness that.”
