Truly the thing I like best about the month of January is that it signals a fresh start for many of us. A ton of people make New Year resolutions such as:
I’m going to lose weight.
I’m going to exercise 5 times a week.
I’m going to stop cussing.
I’m going to focus on my family more.
I’m going to attend church at least three Sundays a month, every month. I’m going to do more self-care in 2023.
All of the above sounds real good. It really does.
Some of us will live up to our New Year resolutions. Others of us will drop off our commitment after a few weeks if we last that long.
There’s one very important thing that I don’t recall ever hearing anyone claim as a New Year resolution; that is I’m going to become more civic-minded and work to be a better citizen. Who says that, right? Well, I’m lovingly suggesting that for 2023, all of us should commit to be better citizens.
What do I mean by that? I’m suggesting that all who read this SCOOP column, who are able-bodied, should make the commitment for 2023 to help keep the block where you live clean. That simply entails having a broom, a dustpan, a trash bag, and the willingness to sweep in front of your own door. If you have some extra energy, sweep in front of an elderly neighbor’s door–that you know can’t come out and sweep for themselves. That’s being a good citizen. It’s also being neighborly.
If you live on a block where there’s no block club, you be the leader and start one. If you have no idea how to get started, call Philadelphia More Beautiful, they’ll tell you what to do. This much I can tell you. You need to make up a flyer for every occupied house on your block inviting neighbors to a meeting. The flyer doesn’t have to be fancy. Just give the date and time of the meeting, and the location.
For health purposes, and because there are still Covid concerns out here, perhaps the first meeting should be at the nearest recreation center, community center, or church that’s in close proximity to your block. If you’re comfortable with the neighbors–who you think will attend, and there are no more than 10 of them, perhaps you might consider holding your first meeting in your living room. Once the weather breaks and Spring rolls on in, you can hold your block club meetings right outside on the sidewalk, or if there’s a vacant lot on your block, perhaps neighbors can bring chairs and sit on the vacant lot (if it’s not trashy), for a block club meeting. That’s how you get started.
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Thank you for reading Thera Martin’s article on scoopnewsusa.com. For more on “CIVICS 101”, please subscribe to SCOOP USA Media. Print subscriptions are $75 and online subscriptions (Print, Digital, and VIZION) are $90. (52 weeks / 1 year).
