Building Community One Neighborhood at a Time, with Mary Jaron Kelley, Portland Office of Community & Civic Life

Join us as we speak with Mary Jaron Kelly, a seasoned community advocate with over 20 years of experience in Portland's Office of Community and Civic Life. This episode delves into Mary's transition from landscape architecture to volunteer leadership, exploring her work with neighborhood associations and various impactful community projects. We discuss overcoming challenges, the importance of empathy, collaboration, and humor in community building, and the joy of connecting with and learning from volunteers. Discover practical insights on fostering trust, respect, and empowerment within communities.

Links

• Guest: Mary Jaron Kelley (she/her)
• Host: Kevin Micalizzi (he/him)

Click here to view the episode transcript.


Chapters

• (00:00) - Interview with Mary Jaron Kelly


• (00:59) - Bringing Communities Together


• (02:08) - Challenges and Rewards of Community Work


• (03:32) - Personal Journey and Professional Growth


• (05:24) - Impact of Volunteering and Community Engagement


• (09:05) - Background and Early Influences


• (23:00) - Adapting to Change and Building Resilience


• (27:51) - Empowering Communities and Giving Credit


• (34:14) - Final Thoughts