The Name Tag Project (Joe Porcelli)

  
Check out this story from Faithstreams.com's Tv show, New Morning about Joe Porcelli, "... we guess you might call him a "professional neighbor."  Jamaica Plain is one of the most interesting sections of Boston.  It has an unusually diverse population, and almost every type of cuisine and ethnic group you can think of. Joseph Porcelli loves Jamaica Plain...and rather than watch it go downhill from street crime, Joseph stepped up to the plate and hit a great, big Boston-style home run of an idea straight out of the park...and into the hearts -- and the clothes! -- of his neighbors.

(See video of Joe's story on this page.  You'll have to scroll down til you see the segment on Joe, then just click on the video button.)

Joseph is one of those guys who, as the saying goes, not only "talks the talk" but "walks the walk."  Being a neighborhood activist isn't just a part-time thing with him, it's his life's calling.  He even left a top notch job in the hi tech industry to do community networking.  His neighborhood organizing activities began after two of his friends were mugged in an area he thought was safe.  His organization, Neighbors for Neighbors, which he formed as a a result of the assault, is now a thriving local institution.  In an effort to build community, he created The Name Tag Project, which challenges you to wear a name tag so that people will be encouraged not just to learn others' names, but to use them as well.  The Boston Red Sox will even be participating in a Nametag event!"

Visit these sites for more information:
NeighborsForNeighbors.org
MilkyWayJP.com
BostonCrimeWatch.com
OnTheVerge-Inc.com
JPFromJP.com