Dunbar/Spring

Next Steps in Building People Connections in DJS Neighborhood

Sep 04, 2001

Scott Peck, psychiatrist and noted author, gets some things right. From his book The Different Drum: Community Making and Peace: "If the group has assembled with the ultimate goal of solving a problem in the community then it should get on with that task. But only after it has had the time to enjoy the experience of community for itself sufficiently to cement the experience, Such groups should always bear in mind the rule: ?‘Community building first, problem solving second ?… remember that community is a state of being together in which people, instead of hiding behind their defenses, learn to lower them, in which instead of attempting to obliterate their differences, people learn not only to accept them but rejoice in them". (page 104 et al). One could accuse Peck of being hopelessly pollyanish but he is on the right track, and hopefully a track we here in DJS will begin to ride.
A first step this year to get on this track is to organize Block leaders, people from DJS who will be connectors and communicators each to two or three blocks in the neighborhood. Block leaders will do occasional door to door neighbor to neighbor visits either to inform people on what is going on or more important to listen to people as to what is on their minds.
In September the Block leaders will be organized and sent on their first mission - that is a door to door information visit to our neighbors. This visit will be to inform them of the Housing Repair and Match/Grant Program (HRMG) which comes from the Back to Basics Program. $150,000 has been designated for this program. This housing program is structured to provide housing repair and upgrade work primarily but not only for low income residents.
Any person interested in becoming a Block Leader call Paul Buckwalter at 624-6969. Not much work and a chance to get to know some of your next door neighbors.