Lathrup Village TimeBank wins statewide award for innovation

By Jennie Miller
C & G Staff Writer

LATHRUP VILLAGE — Nearly two years after its inception, the Lathrup Village TimeBank earned statewide recognition from the Michigan Municipal League for excellence and innovation.

“It’s a pretty big victory for us,” said Kim Hodge, a Lathrup Village resident and founder of the local organization, modeled after others across the country that focus on bringing the residents of a community together to share skills and services with one another.

The 2009 Community Excellence Award was given to Lathrup Village during the state conference of the MML Sept. 25 in Kalamazoo, where the six regional winners faced off for the top prize. Each winner delivered a presentation before the announcement was made a few days later. The criteria was that the local projects be positive, innovative and adaptable.

“They just absolutely floored the convention,” said Jeff Mueller, Lathrup Village City Administrator. “It was really awesome. There were 400-500 people there, and all the attendees voted on the presentation. … Everybody jumped up and cheered (when Lathrup won). It was pretty cool.”

The organization and its mission were completely embraced by the members of the MML.

“The people in the audience — a number of them came up to us afterwards wanting to know how they could get a TimeBank started in their community,” said Hodge, who is on the board of the Michigan Alliance of TimeBanks, along with Richard Reeves, also of Lathrup Village, who helps coordinate the local organization. “Our goal is to spread this around Michigan for people who want to do it. Ours is only for Lathrup Village residents. We started it back in January of 2008, and we have over 100 members now. We are starting one in Southfield, along the northern 13 Mile corridor.”

Members of the TimeBank can share their talents with others in the community, and then receive assistance in return. Activities include raking leaves, cooking, washing windows, computer assistance, music lessons, painting, sewing, pet care, plumbing work, etc. The activities run the gamut. Once a month, the local organization holds a group project.

“This tool speaks really well to these economically challenging times we’re in,” Hodge said. “It’s an exchange system that is similar to a barter. We don’t have the money to pay for things right now. There are so many people who are unemployed or haven’t gotten a raise or don’t know what the future holds. They need to do something, feel valued, be out and about and meet people in their community, get stuff done and be productive. … It’s not like we don’t have the talent just because we don’t have the jobs. People are sitting around with so much talent and skills and interest that they can share with others. We really need to rely on each other more right now.”

Reeves gave the acceptance speech at the MML convention on behalf of the local TimeBank.

“It was truly amazing being there — I was almost overwhelmed by it,” Reeves said. “It was really cool. We always knew it was a good idea, but it’s nice to have it validated by other people.”

Now is a better time than any to have a TimeBank in a community, he said.

“Just the economic value of it — people can save money and get things done that they need to have done,” Reeves said. “But what’s really more important is that it’s a project that really helps to build community. In times like this, something that helps bring the community together helps people realize that we’re all in the same boat, and it kind of makes us stronger.”

Lathrup Village Mayor Frank Brock was proud that his community was recognized by others across the state.

“It’s a great, award-wining program, and it’s bringing a lot of notoriety to Lathrup Village,” Brock said. “It’s a program that defines what Lathrup Village is all about. We have a great sense of community here, and I think it does a lot to bring us together.”

For more information about the Lathrup Village TimeBank, visit www.lathrupvillagetimebank.org, which includes instructions on how to join, as well as a four-minute video that gives examples of activities done by members of the community. For information about how to set up a Time Bank in your community, visit www.mitimebanks.org.

You can reach Staff Writer Jennie Miller at jmiller@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1108.