National Night Out Investing in Block Parties Janell Gonyea


National Night Out is an annual summertime event designed to promote safety in neighborhoods and prevent crime by building relationships within a community.


Stronger


relationships translate to stronger social fabric, and neighborhoods where everyone looks out for one another. At High Point, National Night Out is not a single event. celebrated with several block parties throughout the summer.


It is


In a community as diverse as High Point, bringing people together is not easy. The community includes homeowners of market-rate homes and low-to-middle income renters who occupy homes owned and managed by Seattle Housing Authority.


Community members are from diverse socio-


economic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds. High Point is a redeveloped, master planned community with nearly 1,600 homes in West Seattle and the 120-acre property has one of the largest, urban natural drainage systems in the United States. The redevelopment started with a HOPE VI grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and was redeveloped with the philosophy that people from different income levels benefit from living next to one another.


Its


design is rooted in the value of environmental stewardship, with the notion that living in a green, sustainable environment is inherently healthy and promotes happiness.


National Night Out has been a regular, annual event at High Point. In the past, the Events Committee held one Night Out party each year. The Events Committee’s mission is to create and support events and projects for and by residents that encourage community involvement and enrichment. The Committee has its own funding, including an operating account and reserves and receives its funding through association assessments, and there are committee income and expense line items on the annual association budget. They operate very much like any community association committee. It has a charter that establishes the Committee’s authority and operation. Members of the Committee are volunteers.


Over time, the Events Committee at High Point discovered that the single Night Out parties were not as accessible to residents who lived on the opposite side of the property from


12 Community Associations Journal | July/August 2018


the event. Moreover, the Night Out celebrations were typically on weeknights which made it difficult for some residents to attend. The Committee wanted to make it possible for more residents to participate in Night Out celebrations. So, they decided to begin sponsoring block parties to celebrate. Block parties offered a way for the community to celebrate throughout the summer with times and locations that were convenient for more residents.


In the process, the Committee cultivated deeper resident engagement by investing community funds and resources for social events like block parties. At High Point, the Events Committee has procured portable chairs, tables, canopies, and road barriers that are made available to any member of the community who would like to host a block party. The Committee also purchased a shipping container that holds all of the equipment needed to host any block party.


Each summer, the Committee accepts applications from residents who would like to host block parties. The applications are for $250 stipends from Committee funds and access to the chairs, tables, canopies, etc. The only catch is that the host must invite everyone on their block to the parties, no exceptions. The Committee assists with street closure permits and offers to invite the local police to attend the parties. They also established the role of outreach coordinator to help recruit hosts for block parties. The coordinator, who is a resident, is paid a small stipend out of Committee funds to go door to door, to tell residents about how they can apply for and host a block party.


Successful block parties require commitment from community leaders, including boards, committees, and management alike. Events cost money and require resources, but the pay off is an enriched community with neighbors who know each other. Night Out block parties supported by association funds and resources bring neighbors together outdoors in the summer where they can enjoy barbecue, potluck, beverages and each other’s company – all fun ways to build relationships and get to know neighbors for safer communities.


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