"It takes a village to raise a child."
But what happens if there is no village?
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| Photographer - Amy Figley |
In our car-dependent world, it can be much harder to know your neighbors than I'm sure it was back when walking to school, to the store and to work were the daily modes of transportation.
Even in urban areas now, people walk by one another but they are tuned out. Their ears are plugged up with IPods, their eyes are fixed on IPhones and their minds are occupied with IWants. No longer are we focused on the common "we"... just a whole bunch of "I"s.
Then throw in a heavy dose of
fear to keep children locked up inside houses playing video games instead of exploring and you have us all living
together,
in isolation.When is the last time you were able to borrow eggs from your neighbor when you ran out?
Speaking of neighbors, do you know yours? Do you know their names? Their children? Their lives?
Do they know you?
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| Photographer - Janie Mote |
Are you alone in "the village"? Most of us are.
I am not posting this to make any of us feel guilty. And, I know I'm using a hard tone but I want your attention:
Times are different now,
yes... but *not* because crime is higher or people work harder. Times are different because
we have allowed it to become that way. There is nobody to blame for the fall and crumble of our villages but ourselves and I am here asking you to help rebuild them.
I'm not trying to pretend that we can create little utopias across the planet free of crime and filled with beautiful people holding hands and singing "Kumbaya". I know, firsthand, the challenges of people living in inner-cities and other places that are far from the Sesame Street we grew up watching on TV.
However, I am trying to tell you that any attempt at joining forces to make your neighborhood a better place will do just that.... make it a
better place. I'm not saying it will fix it... or make it perfect... just
better. And we could all use a little better. It's better than nothing.
I also know there will be neighbors who are not the types of individuals that you want to be neighborly with or want your families around. Some may even be a true concern. But, isn't this even MORE of a reason to create a network of other like-minded people who live in close proximity to you? Isn't there safety in numbers? Isolation does nothing to solve these issues. Let's join forces to take back our streets.
I am asking you do to something for me. But, first, I want you to imagine....
Imagine a place to live where you know everybody's name (sound like Cheers? stick with me...). Where your children are watched over not only by you but by others who care about them and know who they are. What could that do to the choices some children make? Could it create change?
Imagine a place where you and your family know you have plenty of people to call in case of an emergency; a place where you look out for one another and call upon each other, rather than a number in the yellow pages, when you need help.
Imagine sharing skills and friendship with others right outside your front door. Imagine a place where you know people's struggles and you help ease their burden. Where you get the same in return.
Imagine a place filled with neighborhood friends of all ages on porches, back decks, apartment terraces and playgrounds. Imagine your children cared for by others that you know and trust when you are not home.
Imagine
not being alone anymore.
Imagine this place and then look outside your home.
It's there. It only needs you to rebuild it.
I am asking for your support in helping me
Reclaim, Rebuild and Renew our villages, one family at a time.
The first family is
you.
This will require you to get out of your comfort zone, as all change begins with us first being uncomfortable but I promise you it will play a huge part in helping to change our world.
Here's how:
- Get to know people on your road, in your apartment building or extended community. Stop to say hello or ask a question. Be prepared at first for some people to think you are odd or annoying. Sadly, it is not commonplace to start small talk at the mailbox anymore. Do not be discouraged. Remember that is what we are trying to change. Keep on.
- Create a neighborhood watch program. Gather a group of adults to walk the streets together, taking back what is rightfully yours and your children's. Coordinate keeping outdoor lights on at the same times each night to create a safer environment. Take turns keeping an eye on things in groups outside.
- Build a community garden. It can be in your own yard... but ask neighborhood children and adults to help and take home vegetables. Leave a 'Free for Neighbors' box of veggies outside your home whenever you have extra.
- Coordinate a parent group in your neighborhood and organize safe outings for children so they can get to know one another.
- Organize a garbage clean up to make your area a cleaner place to live.
- Focus on the elderly in your community. Visit them, bring them meals, mow their lawn, take them to appointments and learn from their experiences.
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| Photographer - Sarah Teo |
- Barter. Tutor a child in return for landscaping help. Teach computer skills in return for car rides. What can you give? What could you use in return? Money is not always necessary when people are willing to work together to lift each other up.
- Offer to teach a skill at your home or on your porch - knitting, cooking, language.
- Start a book club with neighborhood people only.
- If you live in an area where there is a large population that could benefit from English as a second language classes, offer them. Create a group of people that can help one another learn to write, read and speak in a new language. Then, in return, ask to learn their first language so you can expand your knowledge as well.
- Schedule weekly nature walks around your home. Invite neighbors to come along. Get to know your outdoor landscape and space together. Invite special visitors to speak or share insight.
- Help new parents find relief. Offer advice, supplies, breast feeding support and friendship. Offer to sit in the living room and hold the baby when a new mom needs a nap.
- Host a small backyard music concert! You can find others in your neighborhood who play instruments and invite them to perform or just play the radio together.
- Think about the seasons and holidays. Organize an Easter Egg Hunt, a Summer Party, a Bike Parade or a Trunk or Treat event in your driveways.
- Start a monthly mom and dads night out for neighborhood parents to get to know one another.
- Host movie nights indoors or on a screen outside.
- Consider opening up fences, creating paths to one another's homes and taking down some mental walls while still maintaining your privacy.
- Beautify your neighborhood together. Plant flowers, clean up trash and debris and restore old spaces.
- Make a neighborhood playground or take turns having children rotate backyards each day of the week after school where one parent supervises.
- Make a community newsletter. Ask for contributors - writers, classifieds, events.
- If you own a pool, consider hosting swimming once in awhile to those who do not have the same.
- Put benches, picnic tables and chairs in your front yard and encourage others to do the same. Talk to people when they walk by. Say hello. Move your fire pit to the front yard and invite anyone who walks by to join you!
- If you live in a more isolated environment, expand this community by doing the same with people from church, school or work.
- Start an annual neighborhood block party. Take back your streets and play games, eat together and bond.
- Create emergency plans together. Write it down. Make sure everyone knows where they can go for help and who has what to offer. Talk about fires, natural disasters and other occurrences that you can help each other with. Consider a phone chain for emergencies. Remember people who need extra assistance. Be the ones they can count on.
- Post your neighbors phone numbers and emails on your wall and have them do the same. When trust has been built, consider sharing house keys in case you are away or there is an emergency.
- Take care of your neighbors pets, plants and yard when they go away. Be a presence in an otherwise empty home.
- Have a community tag sale.
I would love to add to this list and maybe eventually offer a Free EBook on this topic. If you would like to submit an idea, please leave it in the comments section or email it to info (at) littleacornlearning.com
Love breeds peace. Create an amazing world right where you live.
xoxo
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