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Vermont's Successful Neighbor App Opens in Williamstown
Online Community Network Brings Neighbors Together Offline
Williamstown, Mass., August 17, 2020－ Front Porch Forum (FPF) just opened its free online service in Williamstown, Massachusetts, providing people here an easy way to connect with their neighbors.
Two months ago a number of Williamstown community members and organizations, led by resident Matt Baya, began a grassroots effort to generate enough interest to bring Front Porch Forum to their community. Volunteers fromSouth Williamstown Community Association, Williams College, Williamstown Chamber of Commerce, Williamstown Elementary School PTO and area businesses all participated.
"We're really excited to be the first community in Massachusetts to be part of Front Porch Forum. Now that our usual gathering spots are not available to us, we need to be in touch with each other virtually more than ever. We've only been active a week and already there has been some good mutual aid" said Bette Craig, president of the South Williamstown Community Association.
People use their local FPF to find lost dogs, give away extra tomato plants, report break-ins, recommend roofers, announce school events, debate town budgets, organize community relief efforts... and much more.
"FPF has served Vermont towns since 2006," said co-founder Michael Wood-Lewis. "And people use FPF for all sorts of things... this brief daily connection helps neighbors become better informed and more involved in the life of their town."
Members submit their own messages to their local forum, which FPF distributes to nearby residents as an online e-newsletter which can also be accessed via the FPF mobile app. Because the service is moderated and real names accompany postings, the discussions remain civil, engaging and relevant.
Susan Clark, a Vermont Town Moderator and FPF member said, "technology can be used to divide us or bring us together. I really admire the way Front Porch Forum uses the Internet, but does not try to keep you on the screen for hours. FPF urges you to read the local postings and then get going, and go out and be with your neighbors. That is really important and constructive in terms of building community and building democracy."
The mission of Front Porch Forum is to help neighbors connect and build community. We do that by hosting regional networks of online neighborhood and town forums. In Vermont, more than 190,000 people of the state's 260,000 households participate.
Search for the Front Porch Forum mobile app in the Apple or Google Play app stores or sign up for your local FPF athttps://FrontPorchForum.com.
