Back in 2007 I had been facilitating this team of community connectors for 10 months when John McKnight visited us to hear about our experience and learning. We each shared stories of the assets in community and the impact of connections and contribution for people. I also had invited Peter Block to the conversation he commented that the stories were wonderful but what has the impact of this been for you?

I asked this same question to two different groups of connectors last week that I have been supporting over the past year and I heard the same phrase in both groups that we told Peter and John back in 2007, “it changed my life.”

The connectors now see their communities and neighbors very differently and are seeing the gifts, assets, and possibilities everywhere they go. All described how engagement was now much more relational than transactional and one of building partnerships and reciprocity. Being a part of this work and hearing these stories continues to change my life. Many thanks to all who have been a part of this.