Building Glass Street Block by Block

They are a group of 13 neighbors who care enough about keeping one another informed and involved to gather here last month to be recognized as official Block Leaders for our neighborhood area adjoining Glass Street. The leaders were photographed and acknowledged earlier this summer in the local Metro Weekly paper (June 1). As the article outlines, the Block Leaders serve as liaisons between local initiatives and their neighbors. They also welcome new residents moving into the Glass Farm Neighborhood.

In reaching out to residents, nothing is more critical to our work at Glass House Collective than partnering with residents, churches and business owners invested in the health and vitality of this neighborhood. The Block Leaders provide a visible catalyst of active input and care about what’s working and pinpointing the particular challenges neighbors view as most pressing. Right from the start the Block Leaders identified four key priorities: physical revitalization, safety, social fellowship, and community networking.

While 13 initial leaders is a solid start, more involvement is needed to cover all 29 blocks. As local resident and Block Leader Janette Richie pointed out, some of the subsequent gatherings have seen a number of leaders drift in and out of participation. She is looking forward to an upcoming Unity Walk, scheduled for August 6 in partnership with the Good Neighbor Network, and sees it as a chance to recruit more Block Leaders and reiterate the need for regular involvement. She’s hoping to inspire new Block Leaders to step up in time for the next training session coming up in September. “It’s not a lot of time commitment, but it does so much to help keep everyone informed,” Richie said. “If we talk about attracting important business here to Glass Street, like a proper grocery store, we have to lead out and engage everybody in the exciting conversations.”

If you have an interest in becoming a Block Leader, or to learn more about the program, e-mail the group’s official organizer, Dr. Everlena Holmes at emholmes@epbfi.com or call 423-622-0974.