When sites are dreaming up their ideal resilience hub, community leaders often envision working alongside the surrounding neighborhood to plan and implement projects. The Church of Christ and Lewis Avenue neighborhood have been making this vision real for the past year, co-creating their vibrant resilience hub together through a shared steering committee.
The group first got started in 2021 after the City of San Leandro’s Sustainability Manager Dr. Hoi-Fei Mok recruited church leaders Woody and Judy Square to join an 8-month-long resilience hubs training. Following the training, the City coordinated workshops about facilitation and other leadership skills, which inspired the creation of a steering committee.
“The church is excited to develop as a Resilience Hub because for a long time, we have wanted to be of greater service to our community. As a Resilience Hub, we can finally be more of an asset, resource, and connection point for the neighborhood.” said Judy Square.
Inviting the surrounding neighborhood to join was a natural fit because church leaders Judy and Woody Square live in the neighborhood where the church is located.
The church is excited to develop as a resilience hub because, for a long time we have wanted to be of greater service to our community.
The Steering Committee is now composed of nine neighbors and four church members, which meets on a regular basis to dream, plan, and implement many activities that build community, prepare for disasters, and support climate solutions.
“We are an energetic bunch with lots of ideas and enthusiasm! We have more ideas than we are able to currently pursue to make the surrounding community a better place for everyone.” noted Judy Square.
Building Community
The 11-member Steering Committee has organized multiple events to both introduce resilience themes and build community while having a blast, which have drawn a dynamic mix of church members and neighbors, spanning multiple generations. At the 2021 and 2022 National Night Out gatherings, attendees enjoyed a lively band, water balloon toss, abundant food, and a table introducing resilience hubs themes.
“It was great seeing so many people participating in National Night Out!” noted Woody Square. “This was community in action!”
In addition to National Night Out, the committee has organized other block parties, outdoor movie nights, Christmas caroling and even a coordination of Christmas lights. Building on their successes, they have discussed the idea of hosting quarterly town hall meetings with neighbors to listen to their ideas and collaborate on solutions, and hosting an educational workshop series. The hub’s leaders want to make sure that the events become even more inclusive.
“We are really needing advice on how to engage with neighbors who aren’t participating yet,” noted Steering Committee member Gunner Hissam.
Emergency Preparedness
In 2022 the steering committee applied for and received a $2,500 grant from the City of San Leandro to buy a generator, which they plan on using in their Fellowship Hall to host neighbors during power shutoffs. To further support neighbors, they have enacted a communications system (both text and email) for both emergencies and “normal” times.
As a Resilience Hub, we can finally be more of an asset, resource, and connection point for the neighborhood
The committee has identified a long list of both short-term and long-term, low-cost and costly infrastructure that transform the church into a fully functioning resilience hub. First on their list is the need to retrofit their aging building for earthquakes. Other long-term plans include installing solar panels, battery backup, and an air conditioning system such that the church can serve as a cooling center during heatwaves. Smaller plans include buying more robust emergency supplies, air purifiers, ham radios and training, and a solar-powered generator.
Climate Solutions
The group is excited to have recently received a $2500 grant from East Bay Community Energy to create a community garden next to the church, which will provide fresh produce for community members as well as serve as an outdoor communal gathering space. In addition to the above-mentioned goal to install solar, they have a vision of installing greywater and rainwater catchment systems both at the church and around the neighborhood.
