Parents with young children have little time; older people sometimes have time on their hands. Why not work to establish community areas where older people can watch toddlers, young parents can make repairs and do physical things that are too difficult for the elderly; teens can have someone to talk to and responsibilities to give them a sense of accomplishment and worth?

We heard about one community where older people sit on front porches and in parks once left to drug dealers. Their presence has made the area safe for children once again.

Cambridge, Massachusetts has listening partnerships where adults meet to listen to teens, publish a newsletter and sponsor activities for teens. Fresno, California has TOTT — Turn Onto Teens.

Neighbors might corroborate on home improvement projects--like the old Amish barn raising. They might pool tools, games, toys, children's clothing, books, information and might buy all kinds of things in bulk to take advantage of the cheaper prices.

Learn about your neighbors. Add their names and phone numbers to your address book. Find out who is retired, who is ill, their occupations, the ages of children, pets, who has what to trade (pick up trucks, snow blowers, video cameras, Halloween costumes, ladders, paint sprayers, garden tools,) Such associations can save money and give participants a sense of community.

Stage block parties--pot lucks, barbecues, parades, carnivals, star gazing evenings connect communities--people share baked goods, flowers, homegrown produce etc.

How about you and your neighbors adopting a depressed neighborhood. We have Sister Cities—why not Brotherhood Neighborhoods? Consider how painting cheerful murals could spruce up drab or peeling walls, worn benches and tired playground equipment at schools, parks, pre-schools and day-care centers. What a difference weeding and planting flowers and vegetables in vacant lots could make in a depressed neighborhood.

Blind, bed-ridden, very old, very young members of every community would benefit from attention, flowers, baked goods, a walk, a visit from a group of young children with a song or skit or a visit from a very young cuddly pet or child.

Leading youth groups, organizing, speaking, reading to children or the infirm, telling stories, teaching language to immigrants, tutoring school children, baby-sitting—perhaps exchanging duties with a young mother who may be willing to visit an older person or with someone shouldering obligations similar to your own—may be the way you can show concern.

Remember, all volunteer jobs must be performed under the auspices of a participating nonprofit organization.More choices are available when you choose the nonprofit organization that best fits your situation.

[Home] [Main Menu] [Archives] [Another Way Menu]