South Bend neighbors share meals and take action

When you sit down and eat with people regularly, something happens: You become friends. The origin stories vary—each entered at different times, for different reasons—but all the stories started around a table laden with all kinds of food, from local, organic, purple carrots to a bag of Doritos, from cans of Miller Lite to beer growlers from hip breweries.

When you gather regularly, you also realize you want to do more than just come together. You find a shared desire for change. You build a support system.

Several neighbors began meeting for coffee on Wednesday mornings to discuss development in the neighborhood. Soon after that, a shooting in the city sharpened the desire to confront longstanding concerns about justice and safety. Eventually, it became clear that a renewed commitment to the neighborhood association could help coordinate these energies. Within that group, several Thrive Tribe members spearheaded a survey of the neighborhood to ensure that a diversity of voices and interests were being heard. The neighborhood association isn’t where it needs to be, but it’s on its way.

Our neighborhood is unfortunately the kind that outsiders often label “blighted.” Some “Thrivers” are working to change that perception. Longtime residents Karl and Megyn Edmonson had been acquiring plots around their house at tax sales. Eventually they demolished houses that couldn’t be rehabbed and enlisted family and neighbors to create a pocket park. This park has hosted several gatherings and even a wedding, for which Megyn supplied a fantastic cake.

Their experience inspired other neighbors to purchase empty lots as well, to create gardens or to bank the lots until better uses arise. Some have begun buying neglected properties and revitalizing them through local, incremental development. Alan Larkin, a celebrated artist, is the owner of the Studebaker Mansion Apartments in our neighborhood. He recently bought three other properties and is working with Centier Bank to finance their rehabilitation. One of them will house his new painting studio.

When Thrivers aren’t gathering over food or hanging out after the monthly meetings of the neighborhood association, the conversation continues on our neighborhood WhatsApp group, which has become a sort of digital town square. People share articles of interest or coordinate planning for neighborhood events. Others offer services or give away furniture. Sometimes we share photos of a particularly beautiful evening sky or ask after missing pets.

In fact, as I finish this, the neighborhood association president has just messaged everyone: It’s Thursday again, and everyone is welcome to come to his home around six. I need to check my fridge to see what we can contribute. I think we have a few extra bottles of wine somewhere...