Block 12: “Stay Positive, Stay Focused”
Block 12: “Stay Positive, Stay Focused”
I get excited at the thought that maybe these block walks could be sponsored by New Balance or Home Depot or Apple. It’d be dope if Dunkin got involved. Something about the cold seasons in Chicago got me craving a large coffee with cream and sugar. The coffee is the sweetest off 87th and MLK but I didn’t go to that one this morning so it ain’t as tasty but it’s still necessary. I don’t know if it’s the sugar, caffeine, or just the warmth that keeps me coming back, but aye, gotta keep dreaming about those sponsorships. Block Clubs are the first line of defense out here and I’m hoping a corporate partner can step up and help us help more. For now though, the walks are being sponsored by God, y’all reading these posts, commenting, and donating. I call them “block walks” but they really are faith walks. I’m out here walking with faith, trying to learn more, and bring resources to the folks that need support.
This morning I’m meeting with Mrs. Reaves, a Block Club Captain in Englewood right off 62nd and Halsted but as soon as I pulled up I was greeted by Mr. Earl. He wakes up early everyday to cut the grass or pick up trash. “I’m not a socializing person. I just take to the block and do the work.”
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 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 tell 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 tells me. That description is so interesting to me, to hear shots and see people running but still describe it as nice. Could definitely be worse, I guess.
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 told me it took three-to-four years to get it fully cleaned. Someone had put a big pile of cement that was there for years and the volunteers came, little by little, until it got to where it is now. I love that volunteers did that, but it really makes me feel so much pride in my team. To take three years to clean an alley is a testament to our diligence. It’d be easy to give up on something 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,” says 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.