Make a Difference Support Network
The world desperately needs your dream to make a difference. Bring your dream. We'll help you build it.
Perhaps you've had a dream for a long time. Or several. Perhaps it's a new project. Maybe it doesn't seem practical, at least at first. Perhaps family and friends have been slow to support you in this. If only they could see it.
Enter the Make a Difference Support Network. We are a group of people who gather monthly to support each other's dreams.
Because it turns out that people who have dreams are open to other people's dreams
This community is inclusive. There are no orphans. All are welcome who wish to share their dream and offer support the dreams of others. You belong here regardless of gender, age, religion, or political affiliation.
My name is Michael Hoffman, and I will start as the primary facilitator of these monthly events. Because this is one my dreams.
Our events typically begin with us sitting in a circle, where each person shares their dream, along with any updates on its evolution. And the rest of us will listen. We'll keep our feedback and our ideas to ourselves. For now, anyway.
As we go around the circle, we will see things in common. Some of us will have experience and wisdom that would be beneficial to others. Each of us will begin to be naturally drawn to ask questions to some people and offer resources to others.
Then we will break the circle and begin to mingle. We will have name tags with the title of our dream on them. We will approach each other by saying one of two things: "Hello, I have a resource for you to consider." Or, "I have a question for you."
Yes, it's a bit structured. Because here's the thing, dreams are so vulnerable, especially at their early stages. We have to be careful with our suggestions and feedback.
The structure provides emotional safety. We have to build trust and feel safe around each other. These qualities will be the incubator for our dreams to grow big and strong.
Feel free to invite people!
You may call me a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. John Lennon
The May Community Gathering will be a Bonfire at the Island Fire Pit in Lithia Park
The May Community Gathering Bonfire will be at the Island Fire Pit in Lithia Park. The intention is to gather as a community, so anyone wanting to gather in this way is welcome. Children are welcome, and people of all ages tend to show up. You can stop by anytime between 5 and 9 pm for as long as you like. Please bring your own drinks, snacks, and chair.
These bonfires typically involve sitting around the fire and sharing what is going on in each other's lives. There tend to be some of the same and different people at each event. Participants typically leave feeling connected and like they had a good time. The group is very inviting to anyone who decides to show up.
These gatherings have been held for the past year and are now shared on Meetup, Facebook, and community calendars. Please feel free to invite additional people who wish to gather as a community. While there will be additional gatherings, this may be the last bonfire until fall.
The Island Fire Pit in Lithia Park is on a small island on Ashland Creek. You can park at a Lithia Park parking lot across from 381 Granite Street. Once you park, proceed on foot over the bridge and go right on the Lithia Park trail. Soon, you will see another bridge off the main trail to the right, and you will cross over the bridge to the small island.
The fire pit area is off the trail shortly after you cross the bridge. There will be signs on Granite Street and along the trail. The GPS coordinates of the parking lot are 42.185718, -122.171352
Hope to see you there!
