Cohousing-L Mailing List: Community building in suburbia

[Dspreitzer (Dspreitzer]

Periodically, there is talk on this list about reaching out to non-coho
neighbours, or, for those of us not living in cohousing, simply getting to
know our neighbours and establishing a community where ever we find
ourselves.

I  want to share a successful example of how it doesn't take much effort to
begin building community.  Many of you on the list may know that I lived in N
Street Cohousing for a number of years but since Septemer  find myself living
in a suburban-like area of Toronto with my spouse and 3 yr old daughter.
 Although it's a typical suburban development: large lots, no side walks, big
garages, houses set back from street, etc., over the past 3 months we've
succeeded in meeting our neighbours and  stop and talk to most of them from
time to time on the street.

Our daughter's 3rd Birthday gave us a reason to invite our neighbours over
for cake and ice cream.  As former cohousers, we were used to sharing
birthdays with a crowd and baking a cake for only 3 people seemed hardly
worth the effort. So, we risked making fools of ourselves and sent out
invitations done up in crayon.  Scotia decorated one side and I wrote on the
other.  It simply said: Come join us for cake and ice cream as we celebrate
Scotia's 3rd Birthday;  the date, time, and place; and no gifts please.  We
hand delived the folded papers to our 6 neighbours 3 days in advance.

And do you know what, every single household responded either by showing up
or by stopping by in advance to tell us that they were disappointed but had
previous engagements.  Attendees at the party were from all age groups:
toddlers, elementary schoolers, 30 somethings, 40 somethings, and 60-70
somethings.  People stayed an hour after the party was to be over.  A few of
the neighbours already knew each other, but several, although living within
200 feet of each other for 10 years, had never met.  Everyone seemed to enjoy
themselves and it was a wonderful intergenerational party.

There is no doubt that this will lead to further exchanges between
neighbours.  There will be more names to faces and perhaps a bit more
"neighbourliness" in the neighbourhood.

It was certainly worth the risk!

Donna Spreitzer