The History of New and Good

New and Good came to Louisville in the early 2000s. A group of us from the Network Center for Community Change had traveled to learn more about Network Organizing and mutual aid work, and we were visiting with an advocacy group called Beyond Welfare in Iowa City. They had formed when welfare reform was the policy du jour, and when “welfare” was used as code for lazy or freeloading. These women, facing a frightening end to necessary public benefits, had banded together to support one another in ways large and small: sewing circles, child care exchanges, Time Banks, and other forms of mutual aid. They started every meeting and gathering with New and Good: “what is your name, and what is something new in your life or good in your life?” It was designed to bust up power imbalances by reminding everyone in the room of one another’s humanity, and let everyone celebrate together to build community.

This simple tool took off in our Network, with members and with partners like KFTC. We had people celebrating good grades, graduations, grandchildren. Folks getting new jobs, new homes, and once, memorably, a new kidney. Often someone’s New and Good would speak of a painful journey, of resilience and determination, and of the support of community in reaching a goal. It helped us remember that relationships are the root of community change work, and that our relationships where both the WHAT and the HOW of the change we were working for. It also reminded us to focus on the wins, even on days when losses seemed to pile up. Many of us have taken it with us to new groups and communities. Thanks to KFTC for highlighting New and Good!

Jennie Jean Davidson

Executive Director

Neighborhood House

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FB: NHLouisville

 Insta @nhlou