Mingle @ the Park! - Topic: CC Boston Area Housing
Come meet fellow CC folks looking for housing and learn about how we can better navigate co-housing as a community!
The Idea...
Like many, I am once again navigating the hell-scape that is renting in Boston while trying to be moderately-to-significantly covid-safer. And like many, I do not have the luxury of living alone.
I had a recent negative experience going to a local area housing mixer, and that inspired me to make a thing happen.
This event is for you if...
You are still "Coviding," deeply committed to harm reduction, and are committed to doing so for at least their next leasing cycle.** definition here: https://stillcoviding.ca/en/about/
you are in need of new housing in the Boston* area, or have an open room to fill.
you are interested in learning how other people navigate shared living in a post-Covid world, and sharing systems, ideas, and skills.
You are disabled, trans, a POC, or otherwise hold an intersectional identity that impacts how you need to navigate cohousing and Covid safety.
you are excited about the idea of brainstorming what COVID-conscious co-op living could look like, especially one dedicated to community care and harm reduction inside and outside the home.
you deeply value community care.
you too have resorted to confining yourself to your room while roommates abandoned covid precautions, and wanna yap about your woes with folks who get it.
you are simply excited to support an event focused on CC Housing
some secret 9th thing.
*While this is mainly for Boston-area housing, folks interested in living/looking to live in other parts of the state or nearby (like Providence, RI) are also welcome to attend
This is a trial run and am not requesting a city permit for event use; so, we’re keeping it small. There might be some learning-by-doing. I would love to make this a multi-faceted event that could branch off into future iterations.
Details...
Join the Thistle Project at in Powderhouse sq to hang out in the park and talk about illness-safe cohousing! :)
What to expect?
This is aiming to be a low-key meet up a park. There will ideally be conversation starters and tools for navigating housing search while CC.
You are welcome to bring activities, a Bluetooth speaker to play music, a hammock, snacks, busy work for idle hands, or side walk chalk for some mid-convo levity.
If the weather is uncooperative, I will reschedule to a rain date within the weekends following.
Cost:
Free! Optional Cash or Venmo donations can be made to the organizer to help offset the cost of materials and labor needed to prep and organize. Any overflow will be donated to anti-ice initiatives in the local community.
Accessibility:
We will meet on the lower part of the park on the College Ave side. The paths are wide, and the ground is fairly level. Available seating is limited to path side benches. Please bring a blanket/your own seat if you have it, and bring an extra if you are able.
The nearest accessible, public restroom is .3 miles away at the Somerville West Branch library, which is open until 1 pm on Saturdays. I am uncertain if there will be any porta-potties.
in order to save on spoons, there will be minimal food or drinks provided. Please bring the snacks and water you may need. If you want to bring things to share, then great! Please have the ingredients list available.
Pets, ESAs, and Service animals:
In order for this to be an event comfortable for everyone, I ask that people leave any pets/animals at home with the exception of a service animal. In the State of Massachusetts, a service animal is defined as a dog or, in some cases, a miniature horse, who has been trained to perform specific accessibility-related tasks.
Masking:
Masking will be primarily required/highly preferred for this event. Masks will be provided.
However, if you have an access need, I am open to figuring that out. (Such as having a mask required and mask-flexible grouping.) Accessibility is not cut-and-dry, and I want to leave room for that.
At the very least, it is important to me that ppl are able to eat or otherwise take care of their bodies as needed. So, please come prepared to ask the people around you their comfort level, and be responsive and considerate of your group neighbors. There will be plenty of room to space out! :)
Testing:
Testing is optional but encouraged, especially if you need to be unmasked. There will be some tests available for free.
Note: this is a public park near a college campus. There may be other non-CC, unmasked folks around.