Pardon The Interruption

The rebuilding and sustaining of communities continue to be an ongoing battle for those living within those neighborhoods. The once promising neighborhood in which we chose to move into has since changed and many of those changes over time have been hard to bear. Neighborhoods that were seen as a sign of growth, prosperity and stability have all turned into virtual waste lands of boarded up homes, empty lots and untended yards.  The decline of many of these communities have also included losing those good neighbors and stable families that made the neighborhood such a safe and special place.

The change we seek and the change we so desperately need is all possible.  This effort requires that people living in those neighborhoods to come together and organize for the sake of the community.  This too is an ongoing struggle and it depends on whether or not people have a shared vision and passion to become involved.  Getting residents together for the good of the entire community is always a positive step to ensure the neighborhood can be rebuilt and sustained.  For all neighborhoods are a reflection of the people who live in that community. 

The one thing residents who live in these depressed communities need is support from many sources.  This includes agencies whose mission/vision is to a help residents deal with changing conditions, glaring issues and who stand ready to serve.  These residents also need the help and resources from the city and county governments to ensure that streets are maintained, street lights are working, quick response from law enforcement when needed, fire service, available health clinics, grocery stores, livable wage employment, quality schools and accessibility to public transportation. 


Most residents really appreciate when others outside their community come to assist, attend block clubs meetings and especially those who are willing to listen to their concerns.  To many of them it helps to not feel as though they are trapped in declining neighborhoods with no one caring about what is happening to them.   Regardless of what we believe about those living in urban America along the edges of society, all residents want people to not forget they are still a part of what makes the community a community.