Program design · Facilitation
Dining with Purpose
Houston Food Bank
Connection came before action. People from different walks of life shared food, stories and enough time to discover what they could make possible together.
What was happening
We did not begin with a deliverable.
At the beginning, they were a group of Houstonians from across walks of life, classes, religions and politics. The program was designed to identify common ground and see how relationships evolved.
We shared time, personal stories and food. We removed as many power dynamics as possible. The experience was co-designed and bootstrapped with the people in the room.
David’s role
We created connection first.
Defenses were lowered. Common ground was identified. Solutions were explored. Relationships continued after the official dinners ended.
Most people move to action first. When relational connection comes first, the actions that follow can be more collaborative and more effective.
What was produced
A local pilot became part of a national study.
More in Common later featured Dining with Purpose in The Connection Opportunity. The work offers one practical example of connection as civic infrastructure.
Practice · Outcome
Artifacts
