A United Community For All - A Message from the President
One of the good things about living in a neighborhood with an active community organization is a sense of belonging. That feeling of “we’re all in this together.” Many MorningSiders demonstrated their concern for neighbors in the aftermath of recent flooding events. I personally observed several people helping neighbors clean out basements and haul flood debris to the curb.
Communication about solutions for affected residents may be even more important. Whether you attended last month’s Membership Meeting featuring a DWSD leader or followed informative threads on NextDoor or the MorningSide Facebook page, information sharing reduces the potential for hopelessness. Solutions offered may not be ideal, but usually some form of assistance is possible.
Taking community organizing to the next level through the use of block clubs has been a longtime goal of the MorningSide organization. Some streets such as Three Mile Drive have one block club that spans the entire length of Three Mile from Harper to Mack. Others like Bedford have a block club for residents north of E. Warren and another for those between Warren and Mack. Still others may have an informal network of those living on a single block, for instance between Munich and Waveney.
No matter how you choose to organize, the most important step is the first one. Knowing your neighbors, agreeing on your concerns, and communicating those concerns is the key to getting problems addressed. Block clubs large or small can also bring neighbors together to help a senior in need or to throw an end of summer party.
Each member of the MorningSide Community Organization board of directors has volunteered to serve as “ambassador” for two streets within our boundaries, to help facilitate the formation of block clubs. Check our MorningSide website to find the block club Ambassador for your street. If you live on Three Mile or Wayburn, you can call or text me at (313) 231-1114.
Block clubs and community organizations can not only help neighbors in times of crisis like basement flooding but can proactively address smaller quality of life issues before they become larger ones. Together we are stronger.
