Useful Services Exchange Revitilizing in Reston

Hillary Clinton said that it takes a village to raise a child, but members of know that a true village can do so much more.

“Someone will come by to water my plants three times while my husband and I are out of town,” says Marilyn Silvey, a long-time U.S.E. member. “I’ve had people come and put up curtain rods—things I’ve never done.”

Ellie Fusaro, a past president of the organization, explains that U.S.E. is “people helping each other in a cooperative way. It requires getting to know each other.”

Founded in the 1970s by late Ph.D economist and community activist, Henry H. Ware, U.S.E. promotes and facilitates a community bartering system.

From household repair jobs to baking bread to providing rides to the airport, U.S.E. members bank hours in the organization’s register by providing basic services to other members. They may then redeem those hours, in-kind, when they are themselves in need of help.

Members indicate what they like to do, and their general availability, says Fusaro. The exchange is based on time, not perceived value of a service. So every service — electrical work, gardening and childcare — accrues credits at the same rate.

Ware said in a 1977 article that U.S.E. is “bringing back the neighbor-to-neighbor relationship that modern technology and city living have all but finished off.”

“I’m a humanist,” he said.  “Given half a chance, people will be decent to each other. It doesn’t make sense to be sitting around with a talent, dealing with life at one remove.”

The Useful Services Exchange usually hosts a table at the Reston Farmers Market at Lake Anne on Saturdays.

Want more info about joining U.S.E? Stop by the table or contact Fusaro at 703-437-3477 or email USE33@verizon.net.