On March 30 the Minneapolis Police Department holds its annual Crime Prevention Awards ceremony. Every year Outstanding block clubs are recognized with the Building Blocks Award while the Theresa S. Ruhland Youth Award goes to individuals who have done an outstanding job getting youth involved in the life of the community. This year, two Northside block clubs receive Building Blocks Awards. And a Northside resident is this year's sole recipient of the Theresa Ruhland award.
The St. Olaf block club on the 2900 block of Emerson is one winner of the Building Blocks Award. Founded 10 years ago by two concerned neighbors, the block club has tackled everything from boarded up, run down houses to serious drug activity in the neighborhood. Since teaming up with St. Olaf Church, the block club has met regularly on the second Tuesday of every month for the past five years. Their membership includes homeowners and renters from several blocks as well as residents from the St. Olaf Nursing Home. They work with rental property owners, the Minneapolis Police Department, City Council members and other agencies to address a variety of neighborhood livability issues. Over the years they have made a real difference in and around their block and have shown that dogged persistence really pays off.
The other Northside Building Blocks winner is the 35th Ave Aldrich/Lyndale block club. Since 2005 this block club has been a great example of how to build community the right way: by reaching out the hand of friendship to new residents who move to the block, helping residents who need assistance with foreclosure or other issues, door knocking every house on the block to get residents involved in the community, recruiting other block club leaders in the community, and networking with other block clubs to share information and ideas. They also work closely with law enforcement and other agencies to address serious crime and safety issues. The members of this block club understand the importance of grass roots organizing in the effort to build stronger, healthier communities.
The winner of this year's Theresa S. Ruhland Youth Award is James Nelson of the Willard-Hay neighborhood. When he first moved in to the neighborhood in July, 2005, he noticed that there were many kids in the neighborhood badly in need of some positive adult contact. That unmet need struck a chord in Nelson, and rather than pass it off as someone else's problem, he saw it as an opportunity to be of service in his new community. In many small ways he set about making a difference. Now, Nelson is known to 60-70 kids in Willard Hay simply as "Pops."
Nelson is the guy on the block that kids go to if they need to borrow a football, get some air in their bicycle tires, or need someone to talk to. Over the years, by simply showing the common virtues of honesty and trust, and by letting the kids know that he thinks that they're important, and that their lives matter, he has become an invaluable part of their lives.
On any given summer afternoon, you'll probably find half a dozen or so kids in Nelson' backyard pool. There will probably be a few more kids shooting hoops in his driveway. Nelson often organizes impromptu football games for the kids on Theodore Wirth Parkway, or goes sledding with them on Sunset Hill. He organizes outings to the $3 movie theaters. He's just "Pops" to kids from 7 to 19 years old, boys and girls alike.
More importantly, he listens. He takes their ideas, aspirations and concerns seriously. These kids know that Pops will listen to them, and be straight with them. Over the years, he has gained their trust and respect, and this can be a rare thing, especially now when so many of our communities are fractured along age and ethnic lines.
James Nelson exemplifies many of the ideals and principles that are so important in crime prevention. He didn't go out to found a nonprofit, seek a grant, start a youth program, or anything like that. He simply saw a need in his community, and acted. He realized that there was a growing hunger among the youths in his neighborhood for some positive adult contact, and did something about it. He just did a few small things, like loan out a baseball glove, a sled, or a basketball. He also encouraged the kids in his neighborhood to talk to him, and he listened. He made them feel important. He made them feel valued.
These may be small things, but it's these small things, repeated consistently over time, and practiced by all of us, every day, that shape the character of our youth, and our communities.
