Greetings, Northside neighbors,

I am so glad to have heard from a number of you in response to last issue’s invitation to share your voice and perspective on topics of importance to you. I will keep asking this question, because I am convinced that we each have experiences, viewpoints, contributions and connections to offer that added together make an essential and positive difference for this place we all call home.

Right now, I want to talk about “Social Cohesion,” which is highlighted within Goal 3 of Public Health’s “Roadmap to Reducing Violence” document. One definition of social cohesion is “the strength of relationships and the sense of solidarity among members of a community”.  As we head into summer there are some great opportunities to build social cohesion for each of us Northsiders. There are so many great community events including the We’re Here Festival at Northgate, multiple Parks Alive events at Warner Park, Make Music Madison event at FEED Kitchens, as well as many other locations.

But efforts and opportunities to connect don’t have to be either grand or expensive. Let me illustrate with a few simple examples from the Northside this year. In late winter one household in the Sheridan Triangle Neighborhood Association opened their home to all neighbors in that area to come and join them for some food, drinks, and socializing. On a Saturday morning in early spring 10 households from the Troy Gardens Neighborhood came out for some land stewardship service, picking up trash and removing a few dead trees together. Finally, on a Friday evening mid-spring, youth and staff from four different Northside neighborhood centers came together for food and fun at Warner Park. Each of these were successful and worthwhile.

Building social cohesion is associated with positive health outcomes and even lower crime. Let’s choose to connect with neighbors this summer to enhance our well-being.