The first step in getting to know our neighbors is through our Central Community Survey. The goal is connecting neighbors gifts, finding the best part of each neighborhood, and finding what neighbors would do to improve their communities.
After the individual fills out the survey, we follow up with a phone call and an invitation to attend a Neighborhood Circle Meeting.
The goal of a Neighborhood Circle is to bring neighbors together but keep it small and multiply the circles in a neighborhood. When I think of what we want to accomplish it's listening to the voice of the community, sharing talents, meeting neighbors, and creating new friendships.
We invited between 6-8 people for our first Neighborhood Circle Meeting.
We stamped, cut, and pasted hand-made invitations for all attendees. Part of the fun of being a host of Neighborhood Circle is all the planning and preparation. Not really work when you are having so much fun!
Finding a place where everyone would feel comfortable was very important.
The Neighborhood Circle met at the Cleveland Public Library Sterling Branch.
Three weeks before the meeting, each of the attendees received a hand-made invitation in the mail with the details of the meeting. Everyone RSVP'd for the event within two days!
Another important part is making sure that the individuals were welcomed with good food. Since we didn't have time or a kitchen to make food we decided on ordering a take out from Hot Sauce Williams.
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together- African Proverb
This quote was our theme for the meeting. Everyone participated in the "mapping of our lives." Looking for common ground and sharing the impacting stories that brought us to where we are today. It was important that we shared something that was personal to us-to establish trust between each other.
We found common ground: most of us have moved a couple of times, experienced different neighborhoods, and been challenged in some kind of way to make us grateful and stronger and part of who we are today.
 |
| One of our friend's sharing his story |
 |
| Brandy and a friend looking for her birthplace in Cleveland. |
The next meeting, we'll share a potluck meal together and continue our conversations.
