Good Neighbor Summer has drawn to a close (perhaps we need a Good Neighbor Winter too?!) Together we are making San Francisco a kinder, better place to grow older in our own homes and neighborhoods. Thank You!
Celebrating Good Neighbors
On November 12, Community Living Campaign celebrated many volunteers working with us toward a San Francisco where we can all live – and thrive – in our homes and neighborhoods as we grow older during our Fifth Annual Good Neighbor Awards. Neighbors helping each other became even more urgent and challenging this year because of the global pandemic. But so many people rose to the occasion. They inspire us with how they contribute their time to make things better for their neighbors and their communities.
Our Good Neighbor Awards recognize the importance of kindness and neighborliness, especially in these times. Building connections, reducing isolation and loneliness and empowering neighbors to support each other became more urgent than ever. In response to the pandemic, we expanded our efforts to include a whole season of Good Neighbor activities throughout San Francisco. The November event highlighted these small but important kindnesses as well as Good Neighbor honorees for each of CLC’s neighborhoods and programs. As one of the attendees said, “It’s so great to take the time to celebrate the ordinary people who continue to make a difference in other people’s lives.”
2020 Good Neighbor Honorees
Each year, we honor people in each community and program who have gone above and beyond to help their neighbors. These neighbors inspire us to keep finding ways to build connection and help one another throughout the year.
- Carol Nolan, Bayview Grocery Network
- Gwen Thomas, Bayview Grocery Network
- Christine Arenas, Cayuga Community Connectors
- Barbara Meli, Inner Sunset Community Connectors
- Steve Heide, Merced Extension Triangle Community Connectors
- Faye Vickroy, Midtown Terrace Community Connectors
- Celia Kuitunen, Miraloma Park Community Connectors
- Todd Siemers, Miraloma Park Community Connectors
- Jasper Chen, Neighborhood Tech Connect
- The whole team! OMI Grocery Network
- Elaine Chea, Park Merced/University Park Food Network
- Jim Wachob, Potrero Hill Community Connectors
- Mel Simmons, St. Francis Square Co-Op
- Les Wong, Senior Power
- Friends of St. Francis Childcare Center, SF ReServe
- Juliet Rothman, Sidewalk Search Party
- Ernesto Mastas, Sunnyside Community Connectors
- David Munoz Ventura, Vision & Hearing Initiative
You can watch the entire awards gathering here, or watch some of the videos sharing perspectives and images from some of our neighbors. A big thank you to DeWayne Austin and Byron Sakamoto of FarviewStudio, and all the good neighbors who shared their stories.
Help celebrate the many things we have done together to build joyous, caring, and resilient communities at a time when this is more essential than ever before. Follow along with our photo gallery and on the Community Living Campaign Facebook Page. And our heartfelt THANKS to our 2020 Good Neighbor Summer sponsors!
Ways to Be A Good Neighbor
Walk & Wave to Your Neighbors
Head out on your own or organize your neighbors for a (safe, physically distanced) walk around your community and wave to people isolated at home.
Get Creative: Make a sign (or two!) to bring with you on your walk.
Add Some More Fun to Neighborhood Walks
Whether you’re walking around your neighborhood or staying at home, make walks a little more fun for everyone! Decorate your sidewalk with chalk, add hearts or signs to your window for neighbors to find, or just wave hello.
Thank Essential Workers and Helpers
Let’s celebrate our interdependence and thank those who are helping us stay safe and well: grocery store clerks, delivery people, janitors, first responders, homecare workers, nurses, doctors, and many more.
Get Creative: Make a sign, a card, or some other creation for an essential worker or volunteer in your life.
Plant Seeds of Hope
Enjoy the benefits of gardening and bring a little new life to our indoor and outdoor spaces. Plant a packet of CLC’s wildflower Seeds of Hope or share a succulent or another cutting from your garden. Want more gardening? Add Arete’s How to Create Container Gardens talk to your calendar.
Share a Talent
Are you a dancer? Baker? Musician? Crafter? Cook? Storyteller? Gardener? FInd a way to share your talent with those around you. Dance, sing, or play a song with your neighbors. Share something you’ve made – food, art, something knit or sewn.
Spread Some Cheer
We all could use a kind note these days! Find or make a card. Add a quick note and send to someone you admire, to someone isolated at home, to someone who needs a little love.
Support Local Businesses
As we all try and stay safe, local businesses are facing great uncertainty and economic losses. Help support the neighborhood stores, restaurants, and other businesses that keep your community vibrant.
Learn Something / Teach Something
Learn Something. Stay engaged.and active. Learn something new from a friend or join one of our virtual classes. Help keep friends, grandchildren, and neighbors
Teach Something. Help friends, grandchildren, and neighbors keep learning by teaching them something – a recipe, a song, how to use Zoom, so many possibilities!
Be a Good Citizen
Make your voice heard. Complete your Census form and be sure you’re registered to vote. Join your neighborhood association, attend a (virtual) meeting with your Supervisor, and learn the issues.