Small & Simple Things
Say “hello” whenever you see youth in your neighborhood.
Building Assets in Your Neighborhood
Building assets in your neighborhood is easier than you think. Something as simple as saying hello to the youth you see, or learning the names of the kids in your neighborhood make a big difference.
Here are some more ideas:
- Plan block parties
- Be available to talk about what's important to the youth you know, what they hope for, are afraid of, like, and dislike. Show them you care.
- Try to participate in youth fundraisers (i.e. lemonade stands, canned food drives, etc.)
- Be available to babysit/watch your youth neighbors
- See if you have any chores youth in your neighborhood can do for you
- Tell youth about your life
- Attend things your neighbors participate in
- Look for things you can do to make your neighborhood better
- Model the behavior you want the youth in your neighborhood to develop
Safety
Helping to keep our youth safe is an important part of all our jobs. There are some simple things you can do to help make your neighborhood safer.
- Keep an eye out on the neighborhood. Notice when things are different, or don't seem right.
- Report suspicious activity to the police right away.
- Slow down and watch for kids playing.
- Meet with your neighbors and decide if you want to start a neighborhood watch program. (The police department would love to help you get started)