Lehigh Valley Explores Community Time Exchange to Aid Residents

The Lehigh Valley is considering a revival of its community time exchange initiative, aimed at helping residents access services such as weddings, home repairs, and childcare at little to no cost. Kathy Perlow, a 73-year-old resident of Bethlehem, has been advocating for the reestablishment of timebanking in the area, which allows individuals to trade hours of service instead of traditional currency.

Perlow shared a notable example from 2010, when a timebanking member’s wedding was organized with contributions solely based on time. “We did an entire wedding for a timebanking member,” Perlow explained, highlighting the contributions of a trained medical interpreter who exchanged her skills for services. This system values every hour equally, fostering a sense of community through mutual support.

Timebanking was popularized by Edgar S. Cahn, a civil rights advocate who introduced the model to demonstrate that an hour of work holds the same value, regardless of the profession. Cahn’s vision aimed to enhance social health by encouraging reciprocal relationships among community members. He passed away in January 2022, but his legacy continues to inspire initiatives like the one in the Lehigh Valley.

The original timebank in the Lehigh Valley, known as Community Exchange, was launched in 1999 to assist patients transitioning from hospital care. Supported by the Lehigh Valley Health Network and the Dorothy Rider Pool Health Care Trust, the program evolved into a broader timebanking initiative. However, participation declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting a call for new leadership to reinvigorate the program.

Melissa Miranda, CEO of the Neighborhood Health Centers of the Lehigh Valley, acknowledged the challenges faced by the Neighbor2Neighbor program, which was designed to connect residents needing support. “Before COVID, it was good,” Miranda noted, emphasizing the program’s decline during the pandemic. Perlow, who serves on the Health Center board, recognizes the need for dedicated coordination to revitalize the initiative.

To breathe new life into the timebanking concept, Perlow seeks a coordinator with community connections to manage records and track service exchanges. “We just need someone to do it,” she stated, underscoring her commitment to addressing local unmet needs, such as providing resources for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Perlow envisions integrating timebanking into community disaster preparedness efforts to foster neighborhood collaboration. Rick Daugherty, executive director of Lehigh Valley Active Life, expressed support for the timebanking model, noting its potential to connect individuals seeking housing in exchange for household contributions.

Despite some skepticism regarding the efficiency of timebanking as an economic model, many communities globally have successfully implemented similar programs. According to Krista Wyatt, Executive Director of Timebanks.org, timebanks in various countries, including Spain and China, demonstrate the value of recognizing every person’s time and fostering community resilience.

Wyatt highlighted several successful initiatives, such as parents trading childcare hours to alleviate the burden of balancing work and family responsibilities. “Communities are pooling skills, repairing homes, tutoring kids, and building resilience by investing in one another,” she remarked.

Perlow believes a renewed focus on timebanking could enhance community engagement in the Lehigh Valley. “If we would all embrace timebanking as a way to strengthen our community, I think more people would get involved,” she asserted. As the need for interconnectedness grows, Perlow aims to encourage participation across neighborhoods.

For those interested in learning more about timebanking in the Lehigh Valley, further information is available at Timebanks.org. Perlow can be reached directly at [email protected] for individuals eager to contribute to the revitalization of this community initiative.