Speaking of Community; What About The Children?

June 29, 2013 by Patti Singleton 4 Comments

I won’t spout off the statistics, of which my family is included in, but is there a child at risk in your neighborhood?

We can all do something to help better our community by watching over the children within our community.

This website: Child Welfare Information Gateway at https://childwelfare.gov has some low risk, high impact suggestions for making the world we live in better, especially for the children.

Get to know your neighbors. Problems seem less overwhelming when support is nearby.
Help a family under stress. Offer to babysit, help with chores and errands, or suggest resources in the community that can help.
Reach out to children in your community. A smile or a word of encouragement can mean a lot, whether it comes from a parent or a passing stranger.
Be an active community member. Lend a hand at local schools, community or faith-based organizations, children’s hospitals, social service agencies, or other places where families and children are supported.
Keep your neighborhood safe. Start a Neighborhood Watch or plan a local “National Night Out” community event. You will get to know your neighbors while helping to keep your neighborhood and children safe.

Everyone is cautious in these days of high crime, drug and alcohol abuse and economic crisis. Use common sense, but please don’t ignore your neighbors. Please don’t go home and shut the door on your community.

Do you wave and smile at your neighbors?

Rant over, I will now return you to your life…

Thanks for reading,

Patti

Author: Patti Singleton

Pursuits of happiness include gardening, walking the desert, reading, writing, photography, traveling and genealogy.

4 thoughts on “Speaking of Community; What About The Children?”

Susan Call Hutchison
June 29, 2013 at 10:45 am

Amen! At the end of the blog you say, “Rant over. Now I will return you to your life.” Thanks for returning us with some increased awareness and hands-on activities to make a difference.

- 1writeplace
  June 29, 2013 at 2:49 pm
  
  Glad you thought it helpful. Thanks for stopping by again!
  Patti
  
Ellespeth
June 29, 2013 at 12:14 pm

This is a great reminder post for all of us, Patti! We live in a condo building and often knock on the doors of ‘older than us’ – hahaha – neighbors to check on grocery shopping needs, health issues, etc. It’s amazing how just a little hello can actually be the highlight of an older person’s day 😦 That’s a great idea – National Night Out. We did that a lot in New Orleans but I don’t see it done much in Silicon Valley. I’ll have to mention this at our next Board meeting – the Board I’ve resigned from numerous times and gone back to 😛
Ellespeth

1writeplace
June 29, 2013 at 3:00 pm

Thanks again, Liz, and thank you guys for keeping an eye on your elderly neighbors.
When I am at my lowest I try to smile at strangers and it makes everything a little brighter when you see the effect it has on people…the ones that don’t scream for the police! :>) Had to throw that in…I’m rummy, haven’t slept.
Take care,
Patti