I've been volunteering with a group of community members on the HACER Project transforming a vacant lot into a park and garden. I borrowed a non-motorized lawnmower from a friend today and attempted to mow the vacant lot. However, the grass was too long and the twigs too many for a non-motorized lawnmower to tackle. I needed to get the lot mowed this weekend so that it would be ready for the community movie night under the stars a few days away.
I didn't have anyone else to call to ask if I could borrow a lawnmower and was about to give up on the project and leave the lot. Just then, I saw a gentleman walking by and gained the courage to stop him. I stopped him and started off the conversation by asking him if he lived in the neighborhood and told him about the project. I then asked him the odd question if he had a lawnmower. He said yes and told me to meet him a few blocks away at his home. I met him at his home and he graciously let me, a complete stranger, use something of his.
As I was mowing the lot I was reflecting on what had just occurred. Yes, Logan Heights is a low-income neighborhood, and on its surface may seem like there are not many assets (at least traditional assets that are quantified). However, the asset that is often overlooked and not quantified is the kindness of a stranger. The gentleman had something that could improve the community and was willing to trust me enough to share that item.
Community Kindness in Action
This has been the common occurrence on the HACER Project. Community members have continued to be kind by contributing their time, talent, and treasures. I think as placemakers we need to count kindness as one of our greatest community assets for transforming public spaces. Kindness should never be undervalued. But, we should always have the courage to ask an odd question to our neighbors and strangers to provide them an opportunity to commit an act of kindness.