Five (SUPER)stars for Eugene
Welcome to Eugene, the so-called Anarchist capital of the US. Brace yourselves, because this one was a WHOPPAH- we had five (as in 1.2..3…4….5!) prime organizations in the lovely lobby of the McDonald Theater.
So let’s get crackin’ with…
M.E.C.C.A.- Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts
MECCA brought us both smiling faces and an art show replete with prime examples of community arts programs at their finest. On entering, everyone was greeted by some exceptional art made possible by this volunteer-run program that brings recycled arts education to children and adults through partnerships with schools, workshops, and classes in their wonderfully colorful headquarters.
While the national struggle for Peace and Democracy may sometimes feel like listening to Bassnectar in your grandpa’s 1990 Ford Falcon that he shot through the door speaker when his favorite Tim McGraw song was interrupted, Peaceworks adds a dash of sanity to the struggle. Through facilitating alternative pro-peace media, providing counter-military recruitment, actively engaging the community with speakers and events, and maintaining a positive, locally oriented approach, Peaceworks is one of the most well-known and respected activist organizations in the Eugene community. Their spread at the event was also impressive, with petitions, pamphlets, peace paraphernalia, and a positive outlook courtesy of the idea that peace begins on the individual level, and we all have the ability to effect change on that scale.
Global Exchange is a national organization that fosters the growth of local groups concerned with issues in their backyards. One of the biggest issues in Oregon’s backyard right now is Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and those who desire to build pipelines for it. Global Exchange steps up not only to educate and protest LNG, but also to help communities plug in to alternative energy through a paid internship program that links up budding alternative energy gurus with local community projects to foster real alternatives to fossil fuel. Perhaps the Wobble Factory should figure out how to harness the heat of a sea of churning bodies to power sound next time…
Victory Gardens offers healthy organic food, community building, exercise, landscaping, education, increased self-sufficiency, and lots of savings on veggies all though their program that links neighbors and gardeners to end the grass oligarchy. Radishes are WAY sexier than grass—didn’t you know?
Whitebird provides health care for many in the Eugene community, including especially its homeless and low-income residents. These people deserve boasting rights for their ability to teach volunteers about health care, counseling, crisis management, and advocacy. Whitebird has been a pillar in the Eugene area for years and has proved itself invaluable in its services. Reciprocation from the community is essential to Whitebird’s continued ability to reign supreme over any other health care option available to its clients.
We hope you’ll tune in for Portland and Seattle, where we promise not to mention ‘90s cars or Tim McGraw again.
S.A.Y., have you met Democracy Unlimited?
Welcome to the first edition of the Bassnetwork Wezt Coast Tour 2009 community empowerment blogtastrophe! Thus far, we have blasted 7 venues in a row and connected with 11 organizations rife with that juicy raw energy we love so well. All of these organizations are ripe and ready for new activists and volunteers. The people you see here are often both fans and some of the most vibrant people we have encountered on our odyssey.
Comin’ at you first we have the four lovely ladies from Sebastopol and Eureka representing S.A.Y.- Social Advocates for Youth and Democracy Unlimited.
S.A.Y. Social Advocates for Youth: Sebastopol, CA
We met Madalyn (left) and April of S.A.Y at the Hopmonk Tavern amidst a rumbling waterfall of Wobble Factory womp. These girls are involved in a righteous organization that hooks young people up to work together on issues common to disadvantaged youth. Theirs is the essential story of young people reaching out to help each other. We all know that there are never enough resources or knowledgeable people to make our communities what they should be. The Social Advocates for Youth helps out with employment, housing, counseling, and so much more. Many of the young people who come to S.A.Y. end up working for the organization later and learning all the skills it takes to carry on the group. As Madalyn says, the program is so successful precisely because it is run by young people for issues that they have experienced firsthand.
Let’s just say we offered a lot more than earplugs in Sebastopol.
Democracy Unlimited: Eureka, CA
Megan (left) and Meghan of Democracy Unlimited wowed us with their variety of tabling materials and knowledge base concerning the state of democracy in Eureka. These ladies spoke powerfully to their issues that revolve around bringing democracy back to Humboldt County through community currency, a local business alliance, facilitating a CSA food program with local farmers, and more.
The best thing about watching these ladies table is how much the people in the community already knew about their programs. Fans worked at coffee shops that accepted the independent currency and had participated in the CSA program. What makes their programs work is participation, and that is where we can all lend a hand. D.U. facilitates ways to vote with our dollar to relocalize the power of the people.
We all make choices when we spend our money, people like Megan and Meghan are keeping them conscious.
Could they be more awesome?
Get active and stay tuned for Community Empowerment Round II in Eugene, OR with Bassnectar Wezt Coast Tour 2009!
