10,000 Neighbors

10,000 Neighbors

OhSoWe.jpg

10,000 Neighbors is an initiative launched by the City of Evanston and Citizen’s Greener Evanston which emphasizes the "us" in sustainability by engaging and connecting neighbors using the new social networking site, OhSoWe.

OhSoWe allows its members to become closer with their neighbors by building bonds, saving money, and increasing the quality of life throughout Evanston. This is achieved by helping people rediscover the ease of sharing resources and joining the groups already working on the broader community agenda for sustainability.

Sharing

It has become far too common for people to purchase an item that they only will use once or twice and then throw it away or store it only to have it forgotten. OhSoWe aims to reduce these instances of wasteful consumption for the following reasons:

  • Sharing saves you money.
  • Sharing reduces the burden on the environment’s limited resources.
  • Sharing builds the sense of community.

Community

Aside from sharing items with your neighbors, OhSoWe also makes it easy to plan and request community events and secure services. Block parties, neighborhood meetings, and finding service providers are just a few of the community building aspects that can be easily set up through OhSoWe.

Registration

In order to start participating in OhSoWe, you must first register your account with the website by following these 5 steps:

  1. To do so, click on the “Register” link on the top of the page.
  2. This will bring you to a page that asks you for your home address.
  3. After you enter this information, it will ask you for your first and last name accompanied by your email address.
  4. You will then create a password for your account.
  5. Finally, just click the Register button and you are ready to start sharing!

Getting Started

Once registered, you are now able to utilize all the functionallity that that OhSoWe has to offer. The following links will take you to the three main features of this website:

  • Needs - This section shows you all the needs that have been listed in Evanston. If you are able to fulfill one of the needs listed in this area, you should reach out and help your neighbor. You can also click here to list your own needs that you looking to have fulfilled.
  • Skills - All of the skills that your neighbors in Evanston have to offer can be found in this section. Do you have a skill that you believe would be beneficial to your neighbors? If so, then click here to let your neighbors know!

Beyond the above links, the best way to get to know a website is to just click around and familiarize yourself with all of the options. OhSoWe has message boards, groups, and other things to offer that make connecting with your neighbors much easier, and the City of Evanston encourages you to explore and participate in this website!

Important Links

  • OhSoWe - The main page for OhSoWe's network.
  • Twitter - OhSoWe's Twitter where the most up-to-date news can be found.
  • Facebook - OhSoWe's Facebook page for further community outreach.
  • COE News - The City of Evanston's press release about the 10,000 Neighbors of Evanston project involving OhSoWe.
  • 10,000 Neighbors - The main page for the 10,000 Neighbors campaign.
  • CGE Community Agenda - CGE's website outlining all the environmental issues that are on the table.