COVID-19 has brought on some positive changes like the gift of time, slowing life down, more time with family but it has also caused lots of sadness and disappointment due to cancelled group celebrations and fun. The weather is starting to warm up, the sun is out, and the flowers are blooming. This is the time of the year that cities are planning their Neighbours Day celebrations.
These cities and many others are now having to decide whether to continue with the traditional neighbours day celebration or cancel the event. Jonathan Massimi from the City of Kitchener is taking the opportunity to take what has always been done and transforming it to meet today’s reality. In a recent discussion with Jonathan he talked about the spheres of belonging, Public space (large groups), Social space (small groups) and personal space. It is the Social space that Kitchener is going to focus on for their 2020 neighbours day celebrations. Jonathan believes that constraints lead to creativity and innovation and that is just what the City of Kitchener is going to do with their neighbours day.
A group of 15 individuals came together for one of Cities Deepening Community’s weekly brunch chats to talk about neighbours day and how can we celebrate neighbours during COVID-19. There were so many great ideas and discussions that inspired those on the call to not cancel neighbours day and others to host their very first neighbours celebration. We need to embrace constraints and be innovative. Here are some great ideas generated during the Brunch Chat to get you thinking:
Kelowna’s fifth annual Neighbour Day was Sunday, May 3, 2020. Traditionally, residents are encouraged to celebrate the day by meeting new neighbours, performing a random act of neighbourliness or by holding a neighbourhood get-together. However, this year’s Neighbour Day was a little different. The City encouraged everyone to find creative ways to connect with neighbours, in whatever form resonated, while maintaining physical distance. We asked residents to share their stories of neighbourliness with us. How has their neighbourhood come together during this challenging time? The response was very positive and inspiring. Kelowna heard stories of driveway block parties, car parades for birthday celebrations, neighbours organizing food drives, virtual happy hours, and many stories of neighbours supporting neighbours. This goes to show that in times of uncertainty and isolation, neighbours will find creative ways to care for one another and maintain social connections. Visit getinvolved.kelowna.ca/strong-neighbourhoods to see the wonderful Neighbour Day stories they received. |
As we think about how we can continue with what used to be amazing programs prior to COVID-19, don’t try to completely replicate what was and move it to online, elements will be lost. Think about the constraints as assets and what can we do with them.
Let’s Celebrate Neighbours day in a new kind of way!