Northwest Philadelphia ‘time bank’ launches

Did you ever need help but didn’t know who to ask? Or wanted to give someone assistance but didn’t know exactly how? Maybe you want to learn how to crochet or teach someone how to cook? The Time4Time Community Exchange organization in Northwest Philadelphia wants help bridge those gaps.

 

On Sunday, Time4Time held its kick off event to outline its mission and the benefits of participating.

Run entirely by volunteers, the purpose of the organization is to allow neighbors to build community relationships and provide assistance to others. For each hour you give in assisting someone else you will be compensated. Not in the form of cash, but by a credit of time that allows someone else to assist you.

How it works

Members use an online tool and once it is activated and members have a profile set up, they will be able to find others who can assist them or need some assistance.

Some of the areas where one may need help includes transportation, help at home, community activities, recreation, wellness, home, arts, car, business services and more.

Retired educator and Flourtown resident, Hollie Jobe, said she could help someone with education workshops and transportation. She added, “this is a great idea that will help regenerate a sense of community.”

“We need to work together to build the kind of lives we want,” she continued.

There is a yearly fee of $30 for an individual or $40 for the whole family. The payments go towards outreach, supplies and event planning, among other needs. 

There are specials for those who are members of Weavers Way, a partner organization and supporter of Time4Time.

Once you have assisted another member, a credit will be added to your account. Once a member has assisted you, a credit will be deducted and you can regain it by helping someone else.

“This is not just about time trade and transactions, it’s about community and being able to trust and rely on each other,” said Betsy Wallace, the organization’s volunteer member coordinator.

Five orientations with training on how to use the online tool will be held starting this week. If someone does not know how to use or have access to a computer, members can assist the individual or the membership coordinator can do the matching for them.

Orientations will be held at Center on the Hill inside the Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church.

Marie Goodman, who has been working with the group, noted, “it allows the community to expose themselves and be transparent.”