As we are learning about the criminogenic (causing crime) characteristics of neighborhoods, it is important to think about how we can overcome disorganization and organize the communities, instead. Read Starting with My Own Neighborhood: Johari James’ Vision of a Thriving Black & Brown Community
What else can we do to engage the members of impoverished communities to create social organization in neighborhoods? Look around The Laundromat Project, overall, for some other ideas.
Please leave at least three comments. One is your original contribution. And two comments are you replies to your classmates. Deadline: 11/5/23, 11:59 pm.
We can create more safe spaces for the community to go and express themselves from athletic sports events to artistic expression events. This allows the community to build trust between each other. I also think supporting local organizations is a good idea. They are constructed from people who have been victims of the violence that floods our community. We need more positive mentors to guide our youth, since young children are easily persuaded they sometimes are misguided. Other outlets can be creating programs such as gaming events for our youth from all ages, I say all ages because even adults need mental-healing. I loved reading this positive module. It shined the light on how we can elevate our communities and prevent shootings from happening.
I agree with your response that athletic sports events can create expression events. I would like to add that the atmosphere of safety is created when members of a community come together over a shared interest, such as a favorite sports team or game. People can be willing to embrace who they truly are and can feel comfortable enough to communicate who they are with others in a secure environment. Great response! I love how you stated all ages need healing as it is very true and thank you for the great response of how this is a positive module and shined a light on how we can elevate communities and prevent shootings. I strongly believe young children are misguided and are a product of their environment growing up.
Hi Alyssa,
Your advocacy for investing in parks and promoting park equity is compelling. Parks indeed offer multifaceted advantages from fostering social cohesion to contributing significantly to the environment, community health, and economic growth. Connecting with your park experiences, I recall spending countless afternoons with my cousin and making new friends as a kid in the local park, relishing the joy of playing, socializing, and connecting with others. It was a vital part of my childhood, offering a space for both fun and learning through interaction.
A question to consider would be what specific measures or initiatives can local governments and communities undertake to ensure that park access remains equitable across all communities, regardless of socioeconomic status, and how can such access be managed to balance safety and inclusivity?
I feel like community relationships are important because it allows people to come together and interact in a positive way. With this age’s technology especially younger people social interaction isn’t important and we forget what it means to actually be a community.
I think you’re right. More in my case I like basketball and I’m a basketball coach so my opinion is that sometimes we need more safe spaces to play because we never know what would happen
Hi Andi,
I love your suggestion about creating more safe spaces for our community, providing diverse outlets for expression and connection. From athletic sports events to artistic expression gatherings, these activities promote physical well-being and foster trust and camaraderie among community members. Supporting local organizations, especially those formed by individuals who have experienced the challenges in our community, is a powerful way to address the root causes of violence. Your emphasis on positive mentorship for our youth is crucial; having role models can significantly impact guiding them toward a brighter future. I also appreciate the idea of gaming events as a mental-healing outlet for youth and adults. It’s heartening to see a positive module like this, highlighting tangible ways we can uplift our community and work towards preventing violence.
Growing up in a low income community activities I took heed to was play street where the NYPD would block the street off & bring out a variety of games & fun activities to do. Especially the free roam activities. I honestly think if they had activities like that for the kids today, there would be less gang violence , bullying, and more it’ll be more unity than anything. In addition to that, also after school programs if after school programs were more accessible then it’ll be a safer neighborhood. Also having crossing guards , they also lack crossing guard in areas that need it. If tutors or programs was put in place to support children development as well things would be better. However , the system is failing our neighborhoods. They are raising our young men to pick up a gun before a pencil. Poor vocabulary over knowledge. The readings supported what is necessary in communities.
Hey, tatianna! Excellent response. I grew up in a low-income community as well and what is incredible is that I used to play street where the NYPD would block the street and let us play fun activities! I agree that if they had these activities for kids today, there would be nothing but peace and harmony. It is so true crossing guards are needed! Heavy on the system is failing our neighborhoods and raising kids to pick up a gun and learn violence rather than a pencil. Powerful response.
Hello Tatianna,
I connect with your discussion post. I had a similar upbringing with community activities that were held by city agencies such as the NYPD. It was nice to connect with them in a different light, as they tried to change the narrative between themselves and the community. I agree that we need to continue to fund more programming so that kids have different options in their lives. Your mention of crossing guards slipped my mind, it was nice to see them in the morning going to school. It is important to have these individuals because they can also act as parental figures to students. Reading is very important for the growth of the youth.
hello Tatianna , I definitely agree with you , if there was more of that today , it can help keeping the community safe and keep kids from going down the wrong path.
This module was eye-opening to me for a couple of reasons. One is that sometimes the communities we live in decide our lives, this isn’t always true but I see the product of my environment argument daily. I grew up next to a housing project in the side blocks houses, this small separation did not stop me from experiencing my fair share of violence and situations that adolescents should not have to think about. Looking back at it now I am very pleased that I can sit in this chair and write this. What saved me from the perils of the city was the village I was a part of. The elders in the community would look out for the kids and make sure they didn’t get themselves into trouble, you had the neighbor that kept a watchful eye on the kids in the community. I think the most important part of that is that the generation that came before us understood where the world was heading and they were trying to prepare us the best way they could. I was also involved with a lot of afterschool programs. After school we would go to the community center and be able to build our minds through different activities. The activities would be engaging not only due to the athletics but from connecting on a deeper level. The after-school program I was a part of had a teen council with each of the housing developments in Brooklyn. We would meet once a month and discuss issues we see in our community and how we would like to change that.
Thinking from reading https://laundromatproject.org/starting-with-my-own-neighborhood/ and how we can engage with community members to create social organizations. Mentorship in my eyes is the best option we could use to develop and build community. Mentorship gives everyone the ability to learn from individuals that come from similar upbringings. This makes communication more effective with adolescents. I think there should be more outreach to inner-city kids about programming that the city offers. The Summer Youth Employment Program is a perfect example of how we can organize communities. There are a lot of obstacles that people with lower socioeconomic status face which could lead to crime due to the disadvantages they experience. This can be combated by getting to the root of the issue and engaging in discussion.
Hi Khalid,
Your narrative beautifully illustrates the immense impact a supportive community can have on an individual’s life, especially during challenging circumstances. The influence of both the older generation’s guidance and the structured after-school programs in your neighborhood significantly shaped your. It’s truly inspiring how the elders in your community took an active role in guiding and safeguarding the younger generation. The intergenerational support and engagement through the afterschool programs not only provided activities but also fostered a sense of responsibility and empowerment among the youth, making positive changes in the community.
Considering your involvement in the teen council meetings, what were some of the most pressing issues discussed by the group, and were there any particular changes or initiatives that had a significant impact on your community?
We can invest in parks to engage the members of impoverished communities to create social organization in neighborhoods. Parks give our cities inherent advantages in terms of the environment, aesthetics, and enjoyment. They also provide advantageous economic effects. They attract jobs and homeowners, raise property values, draw in retirees, and increase municipal revenue. The equitable and fair allocation of parks and green areas so that all communities have access to these resources that promote health is known as park equity. Time spent outside leads to higher levels of physical activity in children. Children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may find it easier to focus after a 20-minute walk in a park or other natural setting. Active children have higher levels of brain activity and have a 20% higher chance of receiving an A in math or English. City parks and open spaces enhance our mental and physical well-being, build stronger communities, and increase the allure of our cities and neighborhoods as places to live and work. Several studies have demonstrated the positive effects parks have on a city’s population’s social, environmental, economic, and health. These are only ten of the many reasons why we think everyone ought to have access to a wonderful park. Youngsters enjoy playing with other kids at the park, whether they want to play next to them or strike up a conversation. This is a natural approach for kids to make friends. They must be taught to share, take turns, and be considerate of the needs of other kids. Parks should be locked and restricted and people can only go in the park if they have a card to get in the gate. Just like a library, you need a card.
Investing into parks is crucial because of the amount of schools and kids we have in this city. Providing them with the safest and nicest parks the same way they invest money into technology for the schools, they should invest into the community.
I’m also agree with you because there are a lot of people on parks.
We can create more safe spaces for the community to like cleaner, safer, and better parks to throw different events. This allows the community to come together and do something positive for all age groups. This brings communities together of all ages. Teens, adults, parents coming together for one goal. It shows the positivity between socializing with people and enjoying life. Different events can be thrown like mini carnivals and arcade games.
Hello Elijah, I also agree with the response you wrote; we have similar ideas. Bringing the community together can impact the youth and adults in a positive way.
Hello Elijah , I agree with you through these different events it can keep the neighborhood safer.
Developing social organizations in impoverished communities necessitates an intricate and multifaceted approach. While providing essential resources and support, the primary focus should be on empowering and engaging the community. Strategies to achieve this objective include establishing community centers that offer education, job training, and social services, instituting neighborhood watch programs to enhance safety, and organizing events to bring residents together. Encouraging active participation through community meetings and forums can help residents take ownership of their neighborhoods. Furthermore, fostering partnerships among local government, nonprofits, and residents can play an instrumental role in addressing the unique needs of impoverished communities, fostering social cohesion, and laying the foundation for positive change. It is imperative to note that effective engagement of impoverished communities demands a comprehensive approach that prioritizes community empowerment and participation.
Programs like str8 out of Brooklyn are amazing the youth in communities and for the communities itself. A lot of places in Brooklyn such as Brownsville, east Flatbush, etc. Teens and young adults can get caught up in gang activities or drug dealing and these programs give black youth better options. I also like how he used music to connect with the youth because a lot of younger people in this generation loves music and it’s something about everyone can enjoy. It’s great for programs to find something that young people can engage in and have in common because it keeps them interested and it doesn’t feel like school or doesn’t feel boring to do. It’ll motivate them to do something that’s important for their community but it’s also something that they can enjoy while doing it so it can be long term and they want to do things like that more often.
Hello Sade. Yes, I agree with the idea of bringing different types of programs to our community. It helps build a foundation within our community, especially by targeting the youth and directing them to a better path.
Learning from initiatives like The Laundromat Project and Johari James’s vision is just one of many. We can empower the community by encouraging art and cultural activities that allow people to express themselves, giving a stronger sense of identity and pride within the neighborhood and the people who live there. Community gardens can also play a significant role in creating shared spaces that people can take responsibility for while also improving access to healthy food, fighting both social and healthier food needs. Programs for young people that involve sports, arts, and education put their energy towards positive activities, reducing the risk of bad behavior. The organization of community events such as block parties strengthens social relations and creates a sense of unity. Also by looking for input from residents through surveys or meetings, we can address specific needs that aren’t being heard.
Here are some additional ideas, inspired by the vision of Johari James and the work of organizations like The Laundromat Project. Establishing and supporting community centers can serve as hubs for social activities, education, and resources. These centers can offer programs for all ages, including educational workshops, arts, vocational training, and social events. Encouraging artistic expression within the community can be a powerful tool for engagement. Programs that support local artists, community murals, art classes, and cultural events can foster community pride and cohesion. Encouraging collaborative initiatives and volunteering within the community can promote a sense of ownership and responsibility. Projects like neighborhood clean-ups, renovations, or community-building events foster a shared purpose and strengthen social connections. Encouraging entrepreneurship and supporting local businesses within the community helps to build a self-sustaining economic ecosystem. This fosters a sense of ownership and pride in the neighborhood’s economic growth. Also, have options for mental health support for all genders and ages that can communicate and be educated on social issues to show they are not alone.
we can engage members of Impoverished communities to create social organizations in neighborhoods by creating more community centers , so kids and teenagers could have fun or focus more on a craft or a disciple that they are interested in. Also we can create community outreaches or events in the park to bring the whole community together and focus on a certain task at hand that needs to be handled in the community like a garden or cleaning up graffiti through the neighborhood.
The best way to engage members of impoverished neighborhoods into social organizations is to create an agenda that aligns with their core values. Gathering people together and offering freebies or food is a start to getting the ball rolling but the objective is to retain the movement within the group. In a city like New York where people from all walks of life live, there are different cultures that are represented in different neighborhoods. Poverty mostly affects people of color, so an organization where there’s equal opportunity for jobs and education should be in high demand. People dont want basic skills to get low-wage labor jobs, we want the skills and certifications that are transferable in industries of our choice. A person can learn customer service skills, along with accounting and project management, and with enough experience they can advance into a higher role within a bigger company. We need organizations that can provide those opportunities, considering some people may feel unworthy due to possible racial bias when seeking greater outcomes outside their comfort zone. It is a long battle to combat poverty in certain neighborhoods but it’s still possible to change that narrative a step at a time. It’s already well known that systematic racism is a thing, and under this agenda, it’s likely to consistently affect the same demographics and neighborhoods for years to come. However, community assistance, organizations, and citizen resources are essential for impoverished neighborhoods to thrive. Find ways to keep the youth in school, teach them safe sex, create safe spaces for them to connect with peers and mentors, and groom them to become professionals in their adult lives.
Hi Courtney,
I completely resonate with your perspective on aligning the social organization agenda with the core values of the community. It’s crucial to move beyond short-term incentives like freebies and food, focusing on sustainable solutions that address the systemic issues contributing to poverty. Your emphasis on equal opportunity for jobs and education, especially in industries that offer upward mobility, is spot on. Developing skills that are transferable and have the potential for advancement is essential for breaking the cycle of low-wage labor. I appreciate your recognition of the impact of systemic racism and the need for organizations that actively counteract these biases. Your holistic approach, including community assistance, safe spaces, and mentorship for youth, is a comprehensive strategy for fostering long-term positive change. Together, we can contribute to reshaping narratives and creating opportunities for everyone in our community
Developing social organization in underprivileged areas necessitates a multidimensional strategy that considers the particular difficulties these communities face. Promoting community empowerment through educational and skill-development initiatives is a crucial component. Programs that give locals the skills and information they need to better their lives, like financial literacy classes, job training, and access to educational materials, can encourage people to get involved in the community. By investing in human capital, locals can break the cycle of poverty and lay the groundwork for long-lasting social organization. Residents are better able to solve difficulties jointly as a result. It’s also critical to support community-led projects and inclusive decision-making procedures. By creating candid communication and cooperation forums, locals may express their worries, exchange ideas, and take an active role in decisions that impact their communities. Organizations with a strong local presence can be essential in promoting these conversations and carrying out initiatives that specifically cater to the needs of the community. Giving local leaders from the community more authority can increase pride and a sense of ownership, making the social organization more resilient and self-sufficient. By encouraging active community engagement and collaboration, the strategy extends beyond providing aid alone and eventually results in good, long-lasting change.
Engaging members of impoverished communities to create social organization in neighborhoods involves fostering a sense of community, empowering residents, and addressing systemic issues. The Laundromat project focuses on engaging communities through art. Similar projects, such as community murals can bring the community together and give children an outlet to be expressively creative and praised for hard work and contribution. On a bigger level organizing workshops and skill-building sessions on topics like financial literacy, job readiness, or entrepreneurship helps to empower individuals in a community with a sense of self-pride and sufficiency. It would also be important to establish a relationship with authorities within a community. This can be done by establishing a neighborhood watch.Collaborating with local law enforcement in a positive way can help address safety concerns and build trust between the community and authorities.
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