A Bigger Family

Programs like these give people the sense that they are playing an active role in society, says Andrew Wolk, a professor of social entrepreneurship at Boston University in Massachusetts. "They're not just receiving; they're giving in a way that makes them feel as though they have some value. It helps people discover skills they have and ways in which to exchange those skills that don't revolve around money," he says.

Many service exchanges are coordinated by hospitals, houses of worship, or nonprofit community organizations. In Minnesota's Washington County, the six-year-old Neighborhood Service Exchange is run by a nonprofit volunteer agency. The 160-plus members share a common bond, regardless of their age, economic status, or race, says program manager Cathy Dyball.

People have varying needs, from changing a lightbulb and getting to the grocery store to phone calls, yard work, cooking a meal, or fixing a computer. "We keep track of the volunteer hours," she says. "They accumulate what we call credits. People spend them to get someone to help them. That's where the connections develop. Many people become friends just by sharing services and getting to know each other."

There can be problems, of course. Some participants may take advantage of the system, using several hours of other's people's skills, then becoming unavailable when it's their turn. But skill swap administrators say the opposite is actually more common: Too many participants offer their skills, but when it comes time for them to use the swap system, they often balk, feeling that it's better to give than to receive.

Anne Slepian stresses the importance of having meetings or publishing newsletters to get the word out, reminding everyone to use the system. It's not just a matter of tapping skills for personal use; it's also a way for communities to build stronger bonds.

"People are so busy, they don't feel like they belong in the community and don't know how to reach out to those around them," says Dyball. "These programs help people connect with each other. They feel more involved and become more involved at other levels. They tend to vote more often, they tend to be more concerned about urban blight, and they care more about what their neighborhoods look like. They start thinking about how to make life better for people around them," she says.

That's exactly what Cahn was striving for. "Neighborhoods are the ecological niche of our species. If we don't keep them vibrant, alive, safe places where people can trust each other, we lose the habitat that our species needs to survive."