Bringing people to the center of programming
Goals of the Shared Space Project:
Learn to listen through a lens other than our own
1.
Co-create solutions that achieve common goals
2.
Establish relationships in your community that last beyond one project
3.
Create a system of accountability that works for everyone involved
4.
Creating pathways to dismantle the greatest barriers to program equity
At the Shared Space Project, people are the center of everything we do. Community engagement isn’t just a way to check a box— it’s an opportunity to dismantle barriers, rebuild relationships, and create systems where everyone benefits.
That’s why we exist: to help you step back, evaluate your goals, learn from those who have been most impacted by the issues you develop solutions for, and co-create new approaches with partners in your community.
building equity, together
Engaging the community:
We begin with a town hall-style approach with the community to understand their perspectives and determine the pathway they would like to take forward. Through boots on the ground, we connect with the people and community-based organizations to learn more about their wants, needs, goals, and priorities. We get to know them as people: hear about their experiences, visit their businesses, walk through their neighborhoods.
Embedding within the organization:
At the same time, we work with your organization from the top-down to envision pathways forward that are different from what you have always done. Through 1:1 conversations, equity trainings, and meaningful community collaboration, we help you understand how to approach community through a new lens. By taking separate approaches, we ensure that both your institution and the community have an advocate at the table for their needs.
Entering the Shared Space:
After we have forged relationships within the community and you have created the internal conditions for changes necessary at your organization to have the partnerships that community needs, we will enter into a Shared Space. We are here to help you learn how to think outside of the box, listen to diverse perspectives, build relationships, and co-create solutions in spaces where power is shared. We’re your partners along the way.