Sharing and Connecting to Build Community Neighbor to Neighbor

The Rancho Cordova Post has been online in one form or another since September 2007. It all started after an unsettling incident in my own neighborhood which impacted my family in a profound way. A crime occurred of which I won’t describe here since it’s not the focus of this story which caused me to stop and think about the power of a strong community.

After much thinking and mixed emotions I realized that one of the most powerful forces for good is a close knit, caring, and unified community of neighbors. Seems rather simple right? This type of community connection is evident in many neighborhoods across Rancho Cordova. Could those bonds be stronger? Of course they can and last year we ran an excellent series from one of our Community Contributors called Community Building 101. If you have not read this eight part series by Ryan Lundquist, you should now.

The series talks about simple ways neighbors can become friends and how to build a close knit, caring, and unified community of neighbors who can become close friends. I’m writing about this again becuase another life changing incident has happened in my neighborhood to a dear friend. Our close friend and neighbor Bill passed away suddenly this week. Upon hearing the news from one of our neighbors I immediately went for a visit to express my condolences. My neighbor friend Dave offered to mow the lawn. I offered any support I could to Bill’s wife and I’m positive many others did the same.

It’s this type of neighborhood I want to live in. These are the type of neighbors I want living next door to me, especially in a time of need such as this. The power of strong neighborhoods is amazing. Every week I hear stories about neighbors helping neighbors and the bond of friendship that develops by sharing our lives and connecting with our neighbors, our friends.

How does community start? Reading Ryan’s series will give you some great ideas on small things that can make a big difference, but let me suggest one option. Community starts with sharing our lives with one another in a way that is open, honest and sincere. Telling stories is one way of sharing. Saying hello and waving is another. Opening our homes to neighbors and friends is yet another. Watching out for our neighbors children and pets is one way. There are dozens of ways we can share our lives with our neighbors, but it has to be a two way street and work is involved.

One simple method my wife and I have tried is baking cookies and sharing them with our neighbors. We bake a couple dozen cookies, package them up and go door to door and say, thanks for being our neighbor and have some home baked cookies on us. Who’s going to turn down fresh home baked cookies? Even the grumpiest neighbor can’t help but smile at this friendly gesture. Once you’ve started sharing with your neighbors you’ll be amazed at the friendships which grow and the community which develops.

Connecting with your neighbors means staying in touch. Exchanging e-mail addresses, phone numbers or even house keys is a great way to continue to connect with your neighbors on a week to week basis. This can also be done through neighborhood BBQ’s, coffee or tea time, and fun family events in the local park. Many neighbors are able to connect around a cause like litter removal or food donations around the holidays. There are dozens of simple and easy ways to connect with your neighbors and deepen the bonds of friendship which ultimately will lead to a better community.

I would encourage you to share your life, connect on a weekly basis, and continue building community in your neighborhood. The neighborhoods we live in are only as strong as the neighbors who build them. Go build community. You’ll be glad you did.