Cool Calgary: Humans of Bowness building community

Humans of New York started with a simple premise: present photos and short compelling stories of those who call the city home.

It struck a chord and went viral.

Now a Calgary version wants to encourage neighbours to talk to neighbours and to spread community within Bowness and beyond.

"We just kind of sprawl out on the sidewalk here with some drinks and treats and berate the friendly people who walk by us just to come down and sit down and chat with us and hang out," saidEpiphany Dober, a facilitator for the project run with support fromthe United Way.

On the day the CalgaryEyeopenercaught up with the people behind the Humans of Bownessthey were set up on beanbag chairs outside the locallibrary branch, equipped with pixie sticks and punch as bait for passersby.

Bo Dronkers, who works for the United Way and is a facilitator for the project, hopes that this idea will promote dialogue within the community and spread beyond the borders of Bowness.

"We know that people are happier when they have connections and when they're not isolated," she said.

"Underneath all the superficialness of who we are, we all have a story, however powerful, inspiring, tragic it is. And I think that was what Humans of New York was trying to do and that's what we're trying to do here."

The group is also working to establish a "community living room" where Bownesians can gather and share stories.