Occasionally, when the weather is nice, I like to spend my lunch hour exploring the sidewalks of downtown Birmingham.   The walk serves as a reminder: both in how far the city has come and how far it has to go.  While there are blocks that show signs of progress, many still exude a loss of hope.   Seeing the latter, it is easy to get discouraged.

Thankfully, there are plenty of success stories that show us what we are capable of.  With the right people and wholehearted determination, change can be affected.  Just take a look at The Zone Project in Harlem.

You may have seen an American Express commercial recently that features the charismatic Geoffrey Canada and the impact his Harlem Children’s Zone has had in one of New York City’s poorest neighborhoods.  “If we can fix this block,” he says, ”then we can fix the next block and the next block and the next.”  By 2011, Mr. Canada aims to have revitalized a hundred.  Not surprisingly, this attitude is attracting an audience around the country.

What makes this program different is the approach that HCZ has adopted.  In revitalizing a block, every problem is corrected.  Each building is considered, as they address all of the issues that poor families are facing in the area: from crumbling apartments to crack houses and underperforming schools.  Piece by piece, the standards, as well as expectations, are raised.

This attention to detail is born from HCZ’s “whatever it takes” attitude.  Every child is accounted for.  Education is a cornerstone and progress is closely monitored from preschool to college.  Instilling this accountability in children eventually leads to a similar attitude in the surrounding community.  HCZ leaders refer to this concept as “building a culture of success.”

Consider this approach when trying to create change in your area.  After all, a rebuilding effort is more than bricks and mortar.  It involves fostering an attitude that cares, as well as cultivating a self worth.  If people feel as though they are being invested in, then they will in turn become vested in their communities.  Build your value one block at a time.

DoGood!

Matt

Feel free to email me: matt@DoGoodedness.com with questions, suggestions, or if you are interested in writing a guest post!