New Year’s resolution: wear a name tag for a yearInspire neighbors across the country to get to know each other

Jamaica Plain, MA. Joseph Porcelli, Executive Director of Neighbors for Neighbors (NFN), will wear a name tag everyday for the entire year of 2007.

Porcelli states: “What I have found over the past two and half years is that neighbors really want to know each other but often don’t know how to ‘break the ice’ or are too busy. To help facilitate neighborly interaction, I’ve decided that I will wear a name tag everyday. My hope is that people will ask me why I am wearing a name tag which will start a dialogue. In addition I hope this will spread by work do mouth and inspire other to join in across the country. When people know each other they are more apt to take care of each other. That’s what this is all about.”

About Neighbors for Neighbors:

NFN is a grassroots volunteer-run, social forum that started in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts in 2004, resulting in community connection, engagement and empowerment. This is accomplished by connecting neighbors at Neighborhood Socials and at Community Organizing events where participants create and engage in Social Clubs and Community Projects with neighbors who share similar interests, and collaborate online at www.neighborsforneighbors.org.

In 2005 and 2006, the readers of the Jamaica Plain Gazette named Neighbors for Neighbors “Best of JP” for Neighborhood Organization.

We socialize:  Serve as an entry point to community. 2800 residents connected (In Jamaica Plain MA).

• Hosting Neighborhood Socials where neighbors who typically pass each other everyday get to know each other, find out what they have in common, and form new friendships in a fun and safe environment.

We organize:  Serve as a civic engagement launching pad. 39 Social Groups Community   Projects created.

• Hosting Community Organizing Events where neighbors are inspired to take action by creating, leading, or participating in Social Groups or Community Projects with other neighbors who share similar interests. These groups serve as sustainable mechanisms that keep neighbors connected.
• Publishing www.neighborsforneighbors.org which serves as a community portal connecting and guiding visitors to our Social Groups, Community Projects, as well as events and programs of interest across Jamaica Plain. 

We make a difference:  Our socializing and organizing resulted in 600 residents volunteering and engaging in the community producing over 3600 hours of community engagement and service.

• Create safe and fun environments for neighbors to get to know each other. In Jamaica Plain, MA over 1900 residents have been connected at Neighborhood Socials and Community Projects.
• Create Social Groups such as reading, knitting, biking, jogging, playing tennis, writing, and Pet Lizards.
• Create Community Projects that beautify parks, murals, and streets, collect funds and necessities for local families in need, and facilitate safety awareness programs like Safe Walk that educates MBTA riders about walking home safely.
• In Jamaica Plain, MA, 4
• 39 Social Groups and Community Projects have been created engaging over 1000 residents.
• Collaborate with community-based organizations and local police to educate and empower residents about quality of life and crime/safety issues.
• Serve as a volunteer base for many events and programs.
• www.neighborsforneighbors.org serves as a community portal.

Contact: Joseph Porcelli
Executive Director
Neighbors for Neighbors
857-222-4420
jporcelli@neighborsforneighbors.org
www.NeighborForNeighbors.org