Show the project off
Get people to see what you’re doing while the boat is being built. Seeing young people build a boat is a more powerful image than seeing a finished boat sitting somewhere. Make sure that the press, community leaders, politicians and other potential groups see the work being done. It will excite them. Remember that if a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it- no one cares.
Jim Hsiang is from East Palo Alto California. He works with disadvantaged young people building furniture and boats. Jim has a drawing he calls the “Golden Triangle.” Funders, providers and clients make up the corners of the triangle. (possible illustration) In order for a program to be sustainable, you need strong links between all the sides. Funders must talk to the youth. Providers must be effective with the youth. At the same time, the providers must be willing and able to listen to and integrate feedback from all sides. Use this first project to get your triangle’s links working.
Sometime during the planning stages, someone usually asks these two questions. So, I thought I’d give you my set answers.