Block 12: “Stay Positive, Stay Focused”

Block 12: “Stay Positive, Stay Focused”

I get excited thinking about the possibility of these block walks being sponsored by companies like New Balance, Home Depot, or Apple. It’d be amazing if Dunkin’ got involved. There’s just something about the cold seasons in Chicago that makes me crave a large coffee with cream and sugar. The coffee off 87th and MLK is the sweetest, but I didn’t go to that one this morning, so it’s not as tasty—but still necessary. I’m not sure if it’s the sugar, caffeine, or just the warmth that keeps me coming back, but hey, I’ve got to keep dreaming about those sponsorships.

Block clubs are the first line of defense out here, and I’m hoping a corporate partner will step up to help us help more people. For now, though, the walks are being sponsored by God, by y’all reading these posts, commenting, and donating. I call them “block walks,” but they’re really faith walks. I’m out here walking with faith, trying to learn more, and bringing resources to folks who need support.

This morning, I’m meeting with Mrs. Reaves, a Block Club Captain in Englewood right off 62nd and Halsted. As soon as I pulled up, I was greeted by Mr. Earl. He wakes up early every day to cut the grass or pick up trash. “I’m not a socializing person. I just take to the block and do the work,” he told me.

Mrs. Reaves came outside when she saw me talking with Mr. Earl. She’s been living on the block for about seven years, and it’s her ministry. Every other minute, she’s shouting out one of her neighbors who’s responsible for keeping the playground clean or giving credit to Mr. Earl for his work with the grass. It’s easy to see why this block is in such good shape. Mrs. Reaves empowers and encourages her neighbors. It means something when she speaks.

“This is a nice block,” I told her.

“There’s no drug trafficking because there’s no gang out here on this block. We hear shots and people running sometimes, but nothing too serious,” she replied. That description is so interesting to me—to hear shots and see people running, but still describe it as nice. I guess it could definitely be worse.

Mrs. Reaves thanked me for sending out volunteers and being consistent with the block club. “They cleaned our alley, and that matters. You normally see a lot of trash, but you don’t see that anymore,” she said. She explained that it took three to four years to get it fully cleaned. Someone had dumped a big pile of cement that had been there for years, and the volunteers came, little by little, until it was gone. I love that volunteers did that, but it really makes me feel proud of my team. Taking three years to clean an alley is a testament to our diligence. It’d be easy to give up after three days, let alone three years.

Mr. Earl jumped in and thanked me for the riding mower we donated to the block club a few years back. “That’s how we’re able to do the cutting. Now, people see how we’re beautifying the lots, and they say, ‘How are y’all doing that?!’”

“The goal we’re trying to instill in people is that we don’t have to keep waiting for the city. They’ll come out and do it wrong, anyway,” added Mrs. Reaves.

As I was getting ready to leave, I gave Mrs. Reaves a hug and shook Mr. Earl’s hand. He looked me dead in the eye and said, “Stay positive, stay focused.”

Yes, sir. Yes, sir, I will.