How might we build meaningful connections with One Stone’s neighbors in the Pioneer Square Neighborhood?
The Good Neighbors team started off the year interested in working with the elderly and helping them with issues such as isolation, loneliness due to lack of mobility, and health issues. Upon partnering with Mercy Housing, a low income apartment complex for residents 50 years old or older, the team went to meet with residents expecting to find them with low energy and in need of activities to fill their time. Their assumptions were quickly proven wrong! Students found themselves surrounded by folks with sharp minds, bright energy, and a desire to build relationships with people outside of their housing complex. From here, the Good Neighbors project was born.
The students decided to focus their attention on developing strong connections between One Stone Lab School students, Mercy Housing residents, and other neighbors in the area where One Stone headquarters resides. Knowing that One Stone’s annual Do Good Day was approaching, a full day dedicated to service and doing kind acts around the community, the team developed a plan to use some of that day to help their immediate neighbors.
On the afternoon of April 16, 2019, students split into small groups to help with some spring clean up at Mercy Housing, Giraffe Laugh (an early childhood education non-profit), and Jesse Tree (assisting people at risk of homelessness). In addition to raking leaves, picking up trash, and sprucing up garden boxes, students spent time inside playing games with residents at Mercy Housing, reading to toddlers at Giraffe Laugh, and organizing a supplies closet at Jesse Tree.
Soon after Do Good Day, Mercy Housing invited students back for a BBQ potluck where they continued to develop their connections with the residents. One Stone students learning their neighbors’ names and stories is something they hope to continue for years to come!
Outcome:
Over 50 neighbors from Mercy Housing, Giraffe Laugh and Jesse Tree joined in the Do Good Day festivities and multiple clean up projects were completed.
In the planning team’s words:
“I think that the overall impact of this project was that I was able to understand what it means to be a neighbor and how making connections can open your world to so many more things. Now when I walk around the Pioneer Square neighborhood, or even the Greenbelt, I see friendly faces that I know from Mercy Housing. This is really cool and there is a sense of security in knowing who your neighbors are.” –Lucy Streeby, One Stone member
“I was able to act as a bridge for Mercy to connect with One Stone and create long lasting bonds between elders and teens. By being a part of this, I was really happy and satisfied.” –Athena Thomas, One Stone member
