Hope is as infectious as despair

That headline–hope is as infectious as despair–came from Geoffrey Canada, of the Harlem Children’s Zone, speaking at the recent Council of State Governments East Annual Conference.

You know I’m always taking notes, looking for ideas we can adapt from big cities and small towns to our own communities. I liked that statement about hope so much I wrote it down and drew a box around it.  

Geoffrey also said, “I was wrong over and over about who would support my projects.”

Oh dang is that ever relevant in small towns. When you Gather Your Crowd around your big idea, don’t decide for others that they aren’t your crowd. 

He also said that when they had only improved one block, everyone dismissed them. Same with two blocks. By the time they had their 5th block, people started to notice. 

Take Small Steps. And keep taking them. 

One last story. As they worked with the community block by block, they asked the community members what they wanted or needed. In one place, they kept saying they wanted tree guards so they could grow sidewalk or street trees. Geoffrey was skeptical. “Tree guards? Really? That’s what you want?” 

But he helped them get tree guards. He realized that was the right decision for this community when he saw the green trees growing and what a difference they made. 

This is Idea Friendly. Don’t think you have to have to know all the answers. Let everyone try their own ideas. That is how you make hope as infectious as despair can be.

Keep shaping a better future for your town,

Becky 

PS – I’m heading into a busy swing this fall, and my 2025 is starting to fill in. If you want to have me at your event or community gathering, now is a good time to ask.