So, how are you doing?
This week, we check in with community workers to learn how they are managing during this time.
‘Come out of this better than you were before’
(Photo provided by Terron Edwards)
Who: Terron Edwards, community servant, father and founder of Fathers Making Progress
Neighborhood: Harambee
How has your life been since we’ve been told to stay indoors?
At first, there was a lot of uncertainty at home as things started to shut down. My primary job and many of my wife’s contracts shut down. But luckily for our family, we are “hope for the best, plan for the worst” types, so we were prepared for this in some ways.
The largest pitcher of lemonade that I’ve made from this situation is all of the quality time with family. Even homeschooling with the kids has been great. Being able to impart individualized attention on your children is important, especially when society, life goals and obligations outside the house prevent that from happening. When the world was running the way it was before, I was working for two organizations and working hard to start a third (Fathers Making Progress). This didn’t leave adequate family time.
During this time, my organization Fathers Making Progress has responded by switching its format to biweekly meetings by Zoom. In our household, we have established a new routine that has really helped us to endure. Outside of the obvious major downside of people getting sick and dying, this slowdown time has been good for my family.
What do you feel you need more of?
We need more uniform leadership in our community, and we need more unity. People need more hope and need patience.
What do you need less of?
Misinformation!!! There is so much garbage and so many conspiracy theories being spread. It is ridiculous and not helpful.
Say something to inspire your neighbor.
Just like everything else in life, this too shall pass. Don’t allow this time to do you . . . do this time. Come out of this better than you were before. If you are struggling, reach out, because there are networks.
Somebody loves you. Somebody cares.
‘It’s OK to not be operating at 100%’
(Photo provided by Stephanie Mercado)
Who: Stephanie Mercado, neighborhood revitalization coordinator at Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers
Neighborhood: Wilson Park
How has your life been since we’ve been told to stay indoors?
Life has been . . . an adjustment.
Professionally, spring and summer are usually our (Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers’ Department of Environmental Health) busiest time of the year. So, not being able to get outside, gather with groups of residents, host events at the park and gardens, etc. has been difficult. On the bright side, however, staying indoors has meant I’ve been forced to finish a lot of pending projects like start an herb garden, spring clean and repot my house plants.
I’ve also enjoyed the “slowing down” aspect of everyone having to stay in. I’ve reconnected with friends who live in different time zones, had longer conversations with people I care about without the pre-COVID-19 everyday interruptions, and in general, been able to disconnect from social media without feeling FOMO (fear of missing out) or guilty about it.
What do you feel you need more of?
Besides in-person contact?! Just kidding.
I feel like I need to hear more people say that it’s OK to not be operating at 100%. Many people were forced to readjust their work environment, change their housing situation and deal with difficult family issues in a very short period of time.
However, I haven’t heard many “it’s OK to take some time to adjust” or “there’s no such thing as operating at 100% during a pandemic.”
What do you need less of?
Litter. Something about seeing litter all over the streets during this time really stresses me out!
I want us to be mindful about the world we’ll be stepping into post COVID-19 and how our decisions during this “Stay-at-Home” order will affect our health, neighborhood safety and quality of life going forward.
Say something inspiring to your neighbor.
In a literal sense, I encourage everyone to greet or check in with their neighbor. A simple “Hello, buenos dias,” or even a smile, goes a long way.
I’ve also seen an increased use of the peace sign. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it at first, but now I’m doing it, so I think I like it!
Adam Carr is deputy editor for community engagement at Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service.
- ‘Neighborhood Gems’: Learn about Triciclo Péru and the murals on West Forest Home Avenue - October 1, 2020
- ‘Neighborhood Gems’: Learn about Glorious Malone’s Fine Sausage and the Neighborhood Tiles project in Clarke Square - September 30, 2020
- ‘Neighborhood Gems’: Learn about Visual Vibes on Villard and AWE’s Silver City Artist-in-Residency - September 29, 2020
What we need more of – a sense of urgency BY POLITICIANS! What we need less of – political incompetence!
Stephanie and Terron are great postive people we are lucky to have in Milwaukee. Keep up the great postive energy.
These two are awesome human beings that create and maintain commUNITY. It is not just their job, but their passion and it shows.