Neighborhood Organizing
My goal is to create the world I want, starting where I am. My five-year climate action plan includes neighborhood organizing. I plan to build and strengthen relationships with my neighbors.
My neighborhood has about fifty households and is diverse in terms of age and class. Some neighbors have lived here all their lives. Some moved here a few months ago because of wildfires where they lived previously. I have lived here for two and a half years and have already made friends with all the people on my block.
When I’ve talked with folks about doing something in our neighborhood, many have mentioned a “block party”—with music, storytelling, parades, and lots of food. Not a bad place to start!
My five-year plan includes a “circle of support” in which to teach listening skills and offer mutual aid. Someone has suggested sharing cars and pickup trucks. I’d like all our houses to be weatherized to save on heating costs and reduce carbon emissions.
I’m sure other ideas will grow out of our collaboration.
Bellows Falls, Vermont, USA
Reprinted from the RC e-mail discussion list for leaders in care of the environment
(Present Time 207, April 2022)