Christina Wright and Cynthia Spielman
We all knew it was coming: In the days leading up to the winter storm, neighbors started helping neighbors with advice on how to prepare for the cold weather and assisted those who needed an extra hand. We all watched the weather reports as the temperature dropped dramatically.
No one expected or had warning of the power outages.
The reality of it all came swiftly as the neighborhood social media pages filled with reports of the loss of food and no water. Ordinary residents performed countless acts of kindness for one another. After a week of struggling to stay warm in the dark and freezing cold, the first thaw caused countless numbers of burst pipes and a significant amount of damage to homes. Anyone that could help turn off water, add a temporary fix until a plumber was scheduled, or offer their services as a plumber, helped their neighbors.
Despite all this, the fear we felt for our neighbors who are not online, for our elders, and our families with young children was quickly realized. Those horror stories will be told for a long time to come. They needed help quickly.
This story is proof of the generosity of spirit of which we are all capable.
It is a story of the good that starts locally and works its way outward. An email from Ann Helmke from CoSA’s Faith-Based Initiative to Sarah Woolsey sparked what we started calling, Neighbors Helping Neighbors: “Research clearly indicates that the most effective and efficient method to impact community need is to act as locally as possible in expanding concentric circles…”
Thanks to Sarah Woolsey (Founder) and employees of The Impact Guild , Beacon Hill Area Neighborhood Association, and Christina Wright (Alta Vista), and over 50 volunteers from the neighborhoods, local churches, Trinity students, TIG co-working members and their friends, about 175 neighbors were helped. Organized in hours, we knocked on doors to conduct wellness checks over the next three days, organized food and water, made deliveries, and distributed flyers. We solicited donations and Councilman Treviño and State Representative Diego Bernal provided water and State Senator José Menéndez provided hot meals.
Beacon Hill and Alta Vista were two of many neighborhoods across the city that bore the brunt of the power outages and broken pipes. It wasn’t until after the emergency that information started coming in from CoSA, CPS, and SAWS. Information that created more questions than answers.
There is a structure in place to help residents on a micro level: neighborhood associations. All of the registered neighborhood associations are fully accessible through the Neighborhood & Housing Services Department. But the system, or lack of system, failed us. There were significant gaps in the relief efforts by the city getting being accessible to all residents. But there’s an opportunity – neighborhood associations are connected on this micro level and with the support of city council districts can play a bigger role on reaching neighbors on a house-by-house level. But we need timely communication and resources.
The more local the solutions, the more effective they will be.
Neighborhoods have proven their ability to rise to the challenge. There should be a structure in place in which neighborhood leaders are part of the disaster response. The communication should be two-way. Neighbors know what is needed and how it can best be delivered.
Even in the best of times, neighborhoods should be encouraged. We should have a leading voice in the decisions about our communities. In times of crisis, the resiliency of our neighborhoods could make the difference between life and death.
Great article. I know beacon hill stepped up to help others.