The List - - Dreams Of Neighbors and Community

THE BIG FIRST STEP – Someone has to make a move that is so positive, so big and so inclusive that the people of the area take notice. This can be a collaborative group project or a lighthearted competition fundraiser between groups. The effects will be contagious.

1. Classes
     a. Home Maintenance
     b. Gardening
     c. Babysitting
     d. Community Leadership
     e. Finances
     f. Parenting
     g. Childcare
     h. Cooking
     i. Cleaning
     j. Nutrition
     k. Budget shopping
          i. Groceries
          ii. Home Improvement Items

          iii. Decorative Solutions
          iv. Clothing
          v. Low budget solutions to household problems
     l. Music
     m. Self-Defense

     n. Art – Art shows as well

     o. Dog Obedience
     p. Computer skills

2. Volunteer Activities
      a. Landscaping
     b. Neighborhood Garbage Pick Up 
          i. Lawn litter
          ii. Large Items
          iii. Chemical and Electronic
     c. Home Maintenance
     d. Graffiti Removal
     e. Children’s Activities
     f. Tutoring

      g. PB&J summer lunch program
     h. Web Page Maintenance
     i. Troubleshooting 

         i. Lighting
         ii. Crime Areas
         iii. Blight
      j. Welcoming Committee

     k. Neighborly Committee – coordinate recognition
         i. “I like what you have done to your yard”
         ii. “Your garden looks great!” 
         iii. “You are soooo friendly!”
         iv. “Glad to have you as a neighbor!”
         v. “Congratulations on the birth…”
         vi. Check in on shut-ins, elderly, 

              1. inform of tornado sirens and assist to seek shelter
              2. after storms make sure they are okay
              3. Have contact information for family 

3. Community Activities
     a. Book clubs

     b. Garden clubs
     c. Theater
      d. Photography
     e. History
     f. Teas
     g. Knitting Clubs
     h. Architectural Walks

     i. Health Fair
     j. Cultural Celebrations
         i. Provide knowledge of cultures in the neighborhood
         ii. Why they moved here?
         iii. What do they miss?
         iv. What do they enjoy?
         v. Can be done with a get-together
        vi. Fosters Understanding and Acceptance

     k. Block Party

4. Miscellaneous

     a. Lowell MST Identifying Artwork 
         i. Contest
         ii. Arts Council
         iii. GFP(?)
     b. Bowden Youth Center

         i. Needs Updating
         ii. Address activities
         iii. Promote Positive Relationships
         iv. Staff Police Officer?

     c. Service Pool
         i. “deposit” talents into pool

         ii. People can “withdraw” others’ talents as needed.
     d. Neighborhood News
         i. Special Recognition
         ii. Success Stories
         iii. Volunteer of the Month
         iv. Home of the Month
     e. Apprentice-type programs
         i. Carpentry
         ii. Basic Plumbing
         iii. Remodeling and Restoration
         iv. Use for Neighborhood Projects
         v. Recruit Teachers as Volunteers 
         vi. Request Project Work From Local Schools
         vii. Provide Job Skills and positive reinforcement for teens
     f. Enlist Area Churches
          i. Provide Services to “fill the gaps” between Social Programs
          ii. Many hands make light work…
          iii. Adopt a property
              1. new homeowners needing guidance
              2. resource for homeowner/renter
              3. painting and fix-up

     g. Book Sanctuary
         i. Free books

         ii. Quiet reading spot
         iii. Host Book Club

         iv. Literacy Assistance

     h. Contractor Challenge

         i. Purchase older neighborhood home
         ii. Enlist Carpenters, painters, cabinet-makers, restoration experts, etc.
         iii. “Parade of Restored Homes”?
         iv. Benefits
              1. Provide revamped properties to the neighborhood
              2. Provide examples or solutions to other older home-owners 
              3. Healthy competition that would be advertising for contractors.
              4. Poor economy limits new home purchases – remodeling coming back “in”
              5. Advertise and Promote Pettigrew Heights
                     i. Teach responsible renting
                         i. After course completion, will have better “clout” as a renter
                         ii. Give certificate for $N off deposit
                         iii. Renters retain certification as long as they continue to meet objectives
                             1. cleanliness
                             2. responsibility – water plants, vacuum halls?
                             3. Keep landlord up to date on status of property
                       iv. May reduce “musical chairs” rental issues
     j. Computer Bank
         i. Look into a community website – people can request needs assistance. (Need a winter                 coat) 
         ii. Assistance with job hunting
         iii. Be able to network with others (increase support systems)
     k. Transportation
         i. Ride Share
         ii. Bicycle Borrow Program
         iii. Adopt-a-passenger
     l. Community Service
         i. Adopt-a-grand-relationship
             1. “grandparents” can walk children to school.- increase attendance foster                  intergenerational relationships 
             2. Reading, tutoring, supervision
             3. Put benches up by Lowell playground
         ii. Singing/Activities for retirement homes
         iii. Mentors for all age groups
         iv. Contact schools to provide a needy family with anonymous gifts.
         v. Help with attendance problems
             1. Walking group for school aged kids – stop and pick up as they go.
     m. Create an atmosphere that parents, children and teachers feel comfortable in. – Lowell:      embrace cultural differences, celebrate culture regularly, provide guest speakers that are      leaders in each cultural community

5. VOLUNTEERS – our most precious commodity
     a. Recognize efforts
     b. Keep a journal (before/during/after)
     c. Recharge
     d. Reward
     e. Inspire
     f. Maintain a list
         i. Send birthday cards
         ii. Send Holiday cards
         iii. Let them know how much we think of them!!
         iv. Let others (their church, family or neighbors) know they have done something good!

6. Teach people to trade in their “I can’t” for “How Can I?”