Shortly after I started with Neighborhood Connections, I met one of the local neighbors. During one of my visits I learned that he had lived in the Zeeland neighborhood for close to 70 years. He shared that his wife was recently placed in a nursing home and I could tell that this change in his life was a difficult transition for him.

During one of my visits, I noticed his front porch needed painting and asked if he needed help with the task.  His first response was no and when I mentioned that it might not be a good idea to get on a ladder, given his need for a walker, and he agreed. When I suggested that kids from the neighborhood could be invited to paint his porch and at the same time learn what it means to be involved in their community, he smiled and agreed that the approach would be good one.

This is a great example of the collaboration between neighbors that Good Sam fosters through Neighborhood Connections. To learn more about Neighborhood Connections, click here.