President’s Message
Fall is at our doorstep bringing with it the start of school, fall jackets, and the annual retreat to our homes for the winter. I enjoyed this past summer more than ever. It felt like the pre-pandemic years, with community gatherings and activities filled with joy instead of fear. Coming out of our homes and away from our electronic devices provides opportunities to connect as a community.
Coming out of our homes and away from electronic devices provides opportunities to connect as community.
I have noticed a trend since COVID. Young people seem less engaged in their neighborhood. This perception was reinforced when I spoke to my daughter and a co-worker, both in their 20s. They each acknowledged they don’t seek out connection with their neighbors, preferring to keep to themselves. Speaking to friends who are teachers, they tell of students coming back to school with social anxiety.
I can see how the comfort of screen time would make one uncomfortable reaching out face-to-face to complete strangers. When we connect with people, however, we benefit by gaining new and different perspectives. Ultimately, this diversity of thought and interaction can foster the ability to “meet in the middle,” allowing compromise and consensus, which helps make our community – and our world – a better place to live.
I see value in knowing your neighbors. We are brought together by where we live. We share a common interest in having a strong, safe, vibrant community. We come from different backgrounds and life experiences and are at different places in our life’s journey. Getting to know one another provides opportunities to create synergy around our shared interests, making new friends along the way. In the end, these connections create a sharing and caring community.
Don’t know your neighbor? I encourage you to reach out. Everyone has something to give. Consider giving of your time or talent to help one another – and our community. Looking for opportunities to engage and help our neighborhood? Contact me at President@BWNApdx.org.