A Good Beginning
Residents of Kuhio Park Terrace and Kuhio Homes, the largest public housing project in Hawaii, have long hoped for a safe place for their children to play.
In early 2003, participants in the two resident associations joined with staff from the Good Beginnings Alliance to prepare for a community wide Talk Story for the Littlest Keiki. Funded by the Annie B. Casey Foundation, the Hawaii Community Foundation and the Hawaii People’s Fund, planning and training was carried out with 20 residents and the Talk Story happened in August of 2003. Five critical issues were identified and addressed by approximately 400 adults and youths. The issues were:
1. Keiki Health and Well Being
2. Keiki Safety
3. Keiki Abuse and Neglect
4. Keiki Program Activities
5. Keiki Playground and Play Areas.
Each issue was highlighted for discussion in its own booth where trained resident leaders were listeners and recorders of what other residents had to say about the problem and its potential solutions.
There were also booths set up for people who speak other languages to express their opinions. Interestingly the common thread in all of the booths was the need for a playground. Residents related a playground to health, safety, and so on. The need for a playground became the single most important common goal to arise from the Talk Story.
In early 2003, participants in the two resident associations joined with staff from the Good Beginnings Alliance to prepare for a community wide Talk Story for the Littlest Keiki. Funded by the Annie B. Casey Foundation, the Hawaii Community Foundation and the Hawaii People’s Fund, planning and training was carried out with 20 residents and the Talk Story happened in August of 2003. Five critical issues were identified and addressed by approximately 400 adults and youths. The issues were:
1. Keiki Health and Well Being
2. Keiki Safety
3. Keiki Abuse and Neglect
4. Keiki Program Activities
5. Keiki Playground and Play Areas.
Each issue was highlighted for discussion in its own booth where trained resident leaders were listeners and recorders of what other residents had to say about the problem and its potential solutions.
There were also booths set up for people who speak other languages to express their opinions. Interestingly the common thread in all of the booths was the need for a playground. Residents related a playground to health, safety, and so on. The need for a playground became the single most important common goal to arise from the Talk Story.
posted by The Playground Guy at 7:18 PM
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