When Burnaby resident Tessy Chalissery came across a Vancouver Foundation report on community connection and engagement, she was struck by the loneliness a lot of people feel.
The 2012 study found that one in four of the 3,481 people surveyed reported being alone more often than they would like. The foundation also suggested loneliness has negative consequences for communities.
So Chalissery decided to do something about it. She secured a Vancouver Foundation small neighbourhood grant for $500 through the Burnaby Neighbourhood House and on July 19, she threw a block party to help her neighbours get to know one another.
"It was great," she told the NOW. "If each block can do it, that will be great for the community."
Neighbours pitched in to help Chalissery, and she also rallied about 20 sponsors, who donated food, drinks and door prizes.
An estimated 150 people came out for the Saturday potluck. The party was for residents of Spruce Street, between MacDonald and Smith avenues, but folks showed up from the surrounding area, as well. There was music, food and fun activities for the kids. Burnaby firefighters also made an appearance at the block party and brought a fire truck for the kids to explore. Block Watch volunteers were on site, and the neighbours have a new plan to beef up the community safety program.
But most importantly, people were mingling, chatting and getting to know their neighbours.
"It was great. Everybody was happy. Now they can see each other and who lives in the neighbourhood," Chalissery said, adding that the event was multi-generational and multi cultural.
Antonia Beck of the Burnaby Neighbourhood House said community building is what the small grants are about.
"I think the neighbourhood small grants is a great way of bringing neighbours together and really addressing the Vancouver Foundation findings that came out in that a report," Beck said. "If people know each other and feel more comfortable in their neighbourhood, they are going to look out for each other. I
t increases safety."
The next round of applications for community grants will be in spring 2015.
