Just a dream

In December of 2009, 5 volunteers came together to talk, dream, and act together around their common interest in activating and strengthening neighbors interactions.

Foundation Building

They had a shared understanding that life would be better if neighbors knew each other and had more shared experiences. Those first volunteers were: Fonda Green, Sara Blomeling DeRoo, Bob Williams, Ezzy Aguilar and Jay Van Groningen. Soon thereafter we were joined by Judy Van Dyke who became our neighborhood coach from Good Samaritan Ministries.

Community Listening

In March of 2010 Westcore Neighbors “hired” an AmeriCorps volunteer in collaboration with Good Samaritan Ministries, Sophia Vargas Moore to provide some staffing capacity to community listening and neighborhood activities.

Worth the investment

Additional neighbors joined the team. Two supporting churches (Maple Avenue Ministries and New Community Fourth Reformed Church) pledged financial support for the AmeriCorps volunteer costs and New Community 4th Reformed Church acted as financial fiduciary (handling the funds) for the team. The team called themselves the West Core City team.

Legalities

In the first year, staff, team members and volunteers did a lot of community listening, enjoying conversations with neighbors and they began some fun activities together. In 2011 the Westcore Neighbors board formed and in 2013 received her non profit (501c-3) status.

Habits & practices

A key expectation of the board has always been to discover and act on what neighbors cared about. Three elements of community listening evolved as ongoing habits and practices.

1, 2, 3…

One annual listening event

Listening by monthly convening of block-level engaged residents. Listening at Neighborhood wide events (National Night Out, Thanksgiving potluck, neighborhood picnics etc)

You can see a whole list of activities (events button) here that were all neighbor inspired and had neighbors at the center.

Big Stuff

Westfest was an annual fair run by neighbors, with neighbors and ran until Covid interrupted the practice. It was a great day of outdoor music, games, food and fun – all by neighbors with neighbors!

Thanksgiving Potluck is an annual tradition. 300+ Neighbors gather to share and eat (with culturally diverse foods) a Thanksgiving celebratory meal together.

Many block parties are held throughout the neighborhood during the fair-weather months.