Neighbourhood Life

So how do you like living in your neighbourhood? Better still, if you have lived there long enough, have you ever wondered what the neighbours think of you? Usually how we see ourselves and how others see us can be worlds apart. I hope my neighbours like me, because I like them...at least most them anyway.

As the Cambridge Vineyard, we live in the Alison street neighbourhood. And believe it or not, the folks that live around here have opinions about their neighbourhood. I found that out when I was handed the results of a survey taken by the Social Planning Council of Cambridge and North Dumfries. Here are some of the things our neighbours had to say:
- it's a good place to live
- good place to raise children
- safe

Some things they really liked
- mosque
- sense of community
- quiet
- school

Some of the things they least like
- using the tunnel
- dirty
- bullying
- theft and vandalism
- lack of interaction with neighbours

How they like to be communicated with
Favourite way - word of mouth, followed by newspaper, newsletters, posters, flyers, church bulletins...

Things they see as assets in their community "the park, mosque, Alison Community Centre, the Vineyard Church, St. Anne's School."

Some things they would like to see:
- an English language learning centre
- increase safety by the tunnel
- foot paths
- more open space for kids to cycle and play
- clean up the scary night life
- someone from the community who can speak the same language as the women who cannot speak English well
- a program to link new Canadians with their surroundings and new neighbours
- a community centre that is more accessible to all age groups


I love John's words in describing the essence of Jesus' mission - The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. (John 1:14) So simple...