Lehigh Valley Resident Advocates for Reviving Timebanking System

Residents of the Lehigh Valley may soon find renewed interest in a community initiative known as timebanking, which allows individuals to exchange services based on time rather than money. Kathy Perlow, a 73-year-old resident from Bethlehem, is at the forefront of this effort, drawing on her extensive experience with timebanking to encourage more participation and investment in the program.

Perlow’s advocacy for timebanking stems from a personal experience from 2010, when a member of the community utilized time credits to organize a wedding without incurring traditional costs. “We did an entire wedding for a timebanking member,” Perlow recalled, emphasizing the flexibility and value of time as a currency. “She was a trained medical interpreter and had logged all her hours as a medical interpreter.”

Timebanking operates on a unique model where every hour contributed is valued equally, regardless of the service provided. This system, which was popularized by the late Edgar S. Cahn, who established the contemporary timebank concept, offers a way for communities to support one another. Cahn, a civil rights advocate, promoted what he termed the “time dollar,” emphasizing the importance of valuing all types of labor equally.

The Lehigh Valley timebank began in 1999 as Community Exchange, aimed at assisting patients discharged from hospitals who required home support services. Funded initially by the Dorothy Rider Pool Health Care Trust and sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), the initiative has evolved to address broader community needs. Despite its initial success, participation dwindled during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to challenges in maintaining the program’s operations.

Melissa Miranda, CEO of the Neighborhood Health Centers of the Lehigh Valley, noted the struggles faced by the program since the pandemic. “Before COVID, it was good. Since COVID, it has been challenging,” she said. Although the program has not completely vanished, Perlow underscores the necessity for dedicated leadership to revive its momentum.

In her quest to reinvigorate the timebank, Perlow is searching for a coordinator who can manage community connections and oversee the tracking of time credits. She envisions expanding the initiative to each of the five clinics operated by the Neighborhood Health Centers. “My next goal is: How do I get the word out in the community?” she asked.

Perlow’s passion for timebanking is deeply personal. She has benefitted from the program by learning tai chi at no cost, having assisted the instructor in securing free space for classes. Additionally, she proposes integrating timebanking into community disaster preparedness, which could facilitate neighborhood cooperation during emergencies.

Rick Daugherty, executive director of Lehigh Valley Active Life, shared a similar initiative called the Shared Housing Resource and Exchange Program. This program allows older homeowners to offer living space in exchange for assistance with household chores. “This is a way not only to maximize talents but to connect with other people,” Daugherty explained.

While some critics question the practicality of timebanking as a substitute for traditional economic exchange, advocates highlight its potential benefits. Michael A. MacDowell, a retired economics professor, expressed skepticism about its effectiveness as a broad economic model. Yet, Krista Wyatt, CEO of Timebanks.org, pointed to successful examples from around the globe. “When we value every person and their time, we create a world that works for all of us,” Wyatt stated.

Wyatt provided examples of successful timebanking initiatives, citing parents who share childcare hours to avoid conflicts between work and family responsibilities. Seniors have also benefited from social interaction through the program, finding companionship and assistance in daily tasks.

Perlow believes that if the community embraces timebanking, it can enhance social connections and support. “If we would all embrace timebanking as a way to strengthen our community, I think more people would get involved,” she asserted. “Times have changed, and I get it, but maybe that’s where we need to get back to, like start neighborhood by neighborhood.”

For more information about timebanking in the Lehigh Valley or to connect with Perlow, interested individuals can reach out via email at [email protected].