Neighborhood pride begins with you

In 2009, I met a woman at a Neighborhood Improvement Circle sponsored by the City of Manassas.  She was planning a yard sale in her townhome community, and needed ideas on how to get more residents to participate.

One person suggested throwing some hot dogs on a grill.  Food always draws people out.  I offered to do face painting. The facilitator, Kathy Clark, promised an appearance by her alter-ego, Mrs. C, the Clown.  The yard sale was turning into that story “Stone Soup.” You know, the one where a hungry stranger sets a pot of water to boiling and then drops a stone in it.  The curious villagers come around with a carrot, a potato, some herbs and more.  Soon there’s a delicious pot of soup, enough for everyone to share.

Mrs. C arrived at the yard sale and soon had children trailing as she paraded around the neighborhood. One resident came out and asked her to sing ‘Happy Birthday.’ A neighbor across the way announced they, too,  had a family birthday.  Another round was sung, and the two neighbors continued talking.  They’d never met before.

Now, two years later, Mrs. C came back to Point of Woods, and helped entertain 600 people at the huge block party after the 1 By Youth workday on May 14.  What a difference two years makes!

It’s all about building Neighborhood Pride.  No matter if your event is small or large, as long as you come on out, and give a bit of yourself, you'll help strengthen relationships and empower yourself and your neighbors to make Manassas a better place to live.

Want to learn more about Neighborhood Pride?  Come to the Prince William County Neighborhood Leaders Group meeting (City residents are welcome, too) on Monday, June 13.  We meet in Room 202 of the Development Services Building at the County Government Complex off the Prince William Parkway (after Hoadly Road in Woodbridge).

The first half hour, from 6:30-7 pm, is social time.  Then Connie Moser, State Neighborhood Advocate of the Year, will share her experiences organizing successful Neighborhood Pride Weeks in Dale City three years in a row. The group will also review Neighborhood Pride Week projects in other jurisdictions.

If you plan to attend, please call Jaimi Washburn, Prince William County Neighborhood Coordinator, at 703-792-8058 or e-mail her at jwashburn@pwcgov.org.