I’ve noticed that when neighborhoods start gathering, they seem to start with a “problem-solving” mentality. Fact is, a lot of Americans need problems to draw us out of our well-guarded private lives. We meet in order to “vent” about problems, and our next step–if there are any action steps taken–is to seek a government or sometimes a nonprofit organization to listen to our problems so that they can solve them. As John McKnight likes to say, “We outsource our problems.”
Alternatively, if neighbors are lucky, their little association or block club will organize further, attempting to create some action steps which they hope a governmental or other organizational body will adopt as the solution to their problems. They present said solutions, then step back and wait for implementation. Sometimes they use phone or email pressures to lobby for movement, and sometimes the action plan becomes a casualty of busy private lives. In Minnesota, the Great Killer of Momentum is often our long winter.
Fact is, most neighborhood problems can’t be solved by block clubs, the police department, or community councils. The bad landlord or neighbor down the street might finally get shaped up or shipped out, but come spring, another one will often take her place.
This cycle is exhausting, and I’ve seen many a neighbor completely burned out by their efforts to “put out fires.” That’s why I’ve chosen to leave the problem-solving mentality entirely. It’s not that I don’t want to see problems solved; on the contrary, I want to change what I see. Instead of seeing problems, I see assets.
An example: Instead of spending my energy gathering neighbors to lobby city officials about bad behaviors and problem properties, I look for ways to mobilize and connect neighborhood assets–good behaviors and treasured places. The hope is that in focusing on increasing community connection, we’ll all feel a lot prouder of what we have; moreover, that pride and involvement will translate into neighborhood safety and economic growth.
Here are a few examples of connections neighborhoods have fostered across the country that have produced positive results (with thanks to John McKnight and Jody Kretzmann for their Building Communities from the Inside Out):
Youth + Rec Center + Community Council = At our very own Dayton’s Bluff Recreation Center, youths who want to leave gang culture learn how to rap about their feelings and hopes through a local artist-in-residence. With help from the community council and others, the youths build their own recording studio and have it staffed with a studio “trainer,” who teaches kids how to use the production equipment.
Youth + Community Center = At a youth community center in Detroit, employees do research on community organizations and institutions. Youths interview leaders or administrators at churches, schools, hospitals, businesses, healthcare centers, and other organizations. At the end of the summer, the youth post a community forum to inform people about the resources in their community.
Youth + Community Organizations + Churches = Nashville community organizations form a coalition to build a cement basketball court for a church, rehab housing, paint murals, design puppets for a parade, and develop a “toxic tour” of the city’s hazardous areas to educate residents about health issues.
Youth + YMCA = Youth are selected by YMCA staff and resident managers of housing developments to participate in a six-month fitness and leadership program. At the end of the training, the youth will be certified Y fitness leaders. They will structure and operate after school and Saturday night programs for other youths in the neighborhood.
Youth + Community Development Corporation + Police + Parks & Rec = The Northwest Side Community Development Corporation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin organizes a small group of youths to renovate a small park. A police officer helps the youth find funding and assists with writing of the proposal. The youths plan to approach businesses in the area for more funding. The major piece of their work will be the renovation of an abandoned community center at the park in order to make it available for public use.
Youth + Parks & Rec + Churches = At Youth in Action of New York City, youths gain ownership of an empty lot and transform it into children’s park. They paint a huge mural on the wall of the church facing the park and renovate the basement of the church to create a youth center.
Schools + Historians + City Council = In Prairie Village, Kansas, fifth and sixth graders participate in an innovative educational program that takes them on tours around their neighborhoods to learn about buildings in the process of community planning. Then the students create their own walking tour and slide presentation about the community. When officials of their town proposed razing an old barn to make a parking lot, 90 students went to City Hall with information about the barn’s historical significance to the community.
Youth + Local Businesses = Through the Youths as Resources Project in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, youths contribute to the economic development of their communities by rehabilitating housing. They’re paid and earn school credit. An industrial council made up of local businesses provides raw materials and offers talks, tours, and job training for the youths. Many of them eventually start their own businesses or are employed by one of the local businesses.
Youth + Senior Center = In Chicago, when latchkey kids are feeling lonely, experiencing a crisis, or just want to chat, they can talk to community elders on the telephone through the “Grandma Please” program.
Youth + Senior Center + State Government = Several elders from Lincoln Park Senior Center in Chicago are paired with foster children at a neighborhood day care center. This partnership is facilitated by the Illinois Department of Aging.
A Thread of Connection 