TheNeighborhoodFirst.org

The Neighborhood First Organizer serves on a Local School Council in a part of Chicago more affluent than others. He asserts that the district is at its best when all the districts’ best opportunities are ensured to all of its students- all of Chicago.

He points to the grim reality that the neighborhoods where he serves do not need to raise money to cover the expenses of families’ funerals.

They have the privilege of raising money for their schools.

Not all of us have much, but many of us have less.

Not all of us are acting. But here’s One thing.

All CPS Schools are Our CPS Schools Relief Fund organized by Daniel Kleinman Hi, my name is Daniel Steven Kleinman: I have served for a combined 4… Daniel Kleinman needs your support for All CPS Schools are Our CPS Schools Relief Fund

This post has taken on new meaning:

Block Clubs can help a neighborhood. Block clubs can help a city. Block Clubs can help our country.

Organize on!

Dear Neighbors,Thank you for continuing to do what you do best: inspire the best in all of us. I wanted to make a note of some of the practices that your block clubs – from around the country – have adopted during this time of human perseverance. (Please note, these steps do requ…

What a perfect example from West Ridge Chamber West Ridge, Chicago, IL to show how we can highlight each other to pull each other through, even without holding (washed) hands!

The Neighborhood First’s founder was funded by an Obama grant and served as a housing outreach counselor and organizer during the Millennial Great Recession in ’09 on Chicago’s far north-side.

It is not legal advice, but worksheets can help promote communication.

Example Landlord Tenant Letter for COVID-19 I was funded by an Obama grant and served as a housing outreach counselor and organizer during the Millennial Great Recession in ’09 on Chicago’s far north-side.I would hand out workshe…

Block Clubs: We Know What To Do - https://mailchi.mp/8f7073e10db6/block-clubs-we-know-what-to-do-fwd-this

Block Clubs like yours are establishing two primary lists.

Your Strategic Goals List: many groups have these goals on their lists: 1) attending to seniors, 2) attending to the disabled, 3) running general errands and tasks for each other to maximize social distancing, and 4) keeping virtual company like FaceTime

Your Strategic Response List: many groups then have centralized response teams to enable reaction or pro-action for the above.

Click for more ideas and Share Your Own! Now is the time!

Dear Neighbors,Thank you for continuing to do what you do best: inspire the best in all of us. I wanted to make a note of some of the practices that your block clubs – from around the country – have adopted during this time of human perseverance. (Please note, these steps do requ…

Dear Neighbors,
Thank you for continuing to do what you do best: inspire the best in all of us.

I wanted to make a note of some of the practices that your block clubs - from around the country - have adopted during this time of human perseverance.

(Please note, these steps do require an administrator/committee chair/action coordinator that is minimally tech savvy, to establish and administer email mailboxes or list serves, so please recruit as necessary to assist.

Also please note, that none of these notes should be interpreted to supersede official guidelines from the CDC or any layer of Government. Follow official instructions of where you are in all cases).

Block Clubs like yours are establishing two primary lists.

1. Your Strategic Goals List: many groups have these goals on their lists: 1) attending to seniors, 2) attending to the disabled, 3) running general errands and tasks for each other to maximize social distancing, and 4) keeping virtual company like FaceTime
2. Your Strategic Response List: many groups then have centralized response teams to enable reaction or pro-action for the above.

Therefore, do your best to make sure your community members can sign up for their needs. Groups, for example have an email sign up for each subject. “[email protected]” or “[email protected].” Or “[email protected]” And they are doing their best to make sure their community knows of these emails.

Be sure that in your group many administrators can access and view those inboxes. It is not advised to bottleneck response by monopolizing power of access. However, structure should still be provided. One such example is: the inbox will be primarily monitored and responded to by This Member during 10am to 2pm, while This Member will be the primary servicer during 2pm and 6pm. Or if a response isn’t given within 2 hours it is responded to by another Member in line. Be sure to make it clear what your internal practices will be and what information is needed from the neighbor to fulfill the request. Such as: Name, Contact Info, Type of Need.

Therefore, do you best to make sure community members can sign up to fulfill the needs. Block Club And Neighborhood Groups, for example, have created “[email protected]” where neighbors can submit what they can do. Some groups and individuals opt to request pay for their service, while others may be able to complete simple tasks as volunteers.

Coordinators can make a list to keep track of options: Name-Contact-TasksWilling-TimesAvailable-FeeOrNot

As above, the priority should be to respond quickly, but structure must be established to prevent avoidable missteps. Shifts help, back up assistance helps, and clear details and explanations of expectations helps.

Truly, your actions of responding to community needs over the past decades and truly, even over the past century, are the same best practices that we are now called upon to trust:

We know what to do. We’ve been practicing.

The health of Yours and that of your Family remain in my Heart,

Daniel,

Founder, The Neighborhood First

How To Start A Block Club A Neighborhood First Site

Daniel Steven Kleinman, founder of TheNeighborhoodFirst.org, stresses the importance of wholistic community building. "I am proud to volunteer to help grow the efforts of the St. Paul Community Development Ministries because I know that bringing jobs to where they are needed and deserved is an investment that pays interest."

More information about this job creation effort in Chicago is below.

What kind of ideas do you have?

Author of The New Neighborhood Block Club Manual, Daniel Steven Kleinman, is now beginning a 3rd edition! He needs your input to make sure this is the best, easiest, and most helpful block club manual around!

Help others learn from your own experiences!

Click here and reach out!

Let’s Teach How to Block Club When I first composed the original New Neighborhood Block Club manual to help describe how to form block clubs, I never imagined how many neighbors would find it useful. Together, we can use what w…