The mission of the Long Beach Time Exchange is to build and strengthen relationships within the city of Long Beach by connecting people’s unmet needs and untapped resources.
- A request becomes a conversation. A conversation becomes a relationship. A relationship becomes trust. And trust becomes community.
- Timebanking comes to life wherever people discover that they have something to offer and something to receive.
- Not because we are self-sufficient. Not because we are dependent. But because we are interdependent.
Goals
The goals of the Long Beach Time Exchange are to:
- Connect people to services by making services available for time credits.
- Connect people to people by cultivating reciprocity and interdependence amongst its members.
- Connect people to value through the recognition that all people have something to give, including work that is often unpaid or undervalued.
Vision
We envision a city where:
- Residents’ assets—including their diverse backgrounds and experiences—are recognized, valued, and nurtured.
- It is easy for residents to connect to each other through networks rooted in respect and trust.
- Residents share resources that both allow them to meet basic needs and to access their highest potential.
- Residents are empowered to affect and create structures and processes that encourage the growth and well being of themselves and Long Beach as a whole.
Core Values of Time Banking
- Assets: Everyone is an asset. Each individual brings value to our community.
- Redefining work: Work that is often overlooked and undervalued relative to the market economy is valuable. Activities like providing companionship, child and elder care, and civic participation are important.
- Reciprocity: A one-way flow of resources is not sustainable. Helping works better as a two-way street.
- Social networks/community: No one should be isolated. We are stronger and healthier when we are connected to each other.
- Respect: We value diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives and strive to meet people where they are.