How a 4-year-old connected a neighborhood

Dear Friends,

In a time when it can often feel like we’re losing our humanity, I want to highlight a beautiful story of a four-year-old boy who not only changed his own life, but the lives of many of his elderly neighbors, and the entire social fabric of his neighborhood.

Have you heard Roman’s story yet? Click here to watch CBS’ clip on it.

Roman was lonely. He was missing his father and grandparents, and his natural inclination was to start saying, “Hey!” to the neighbors that passed him by. Every “Hey” was a seed planted, a moment of joy, and the beginning of new relationships.

His “hey” transformed his reality of just him and his mom to a neighborhood village of many “adopted” grandparents who have since become his people, his cheerleaders, and his greatest friends. Roman plays with them, leans on them, and they celebrate him.  

And the ripple effects don’t end there! His mom is supported and knows she’s not alone in raising her son, the neighbors now all know each other, have a community, and know that they matter. The adults in the neighborhood needed him to be the well-being catalyst to make change.  

This is the impact that you can bring by organizing a simple block party. Or if that feels too big, start with a wave and a “Hey!” We don’t have to settle for becoming objects of efficiency, optimization, and checklists. We can be intentional and make the needed change. We don’t have to lose our humanity.

To do this, we have to pause and reflect on our real-life values, because what we do now decides the quality of our one and precious life – and our collective future. 

Are you ready to be a Roman for your neighborhood? Join me later today, Thursday, July 30th from 3:00-3:30 pm ET for my Zoom Office Hours, where I will help you organize the micro-local neighborhood gathering that can be the catalyst for bringing your village together. 

If you’re unable to make it today, plan to join one of our August Zoom Hours:

Wednesday, August 12th at 3:00-3:30 PM ET

Wednesday, August 26th at 12:00-12:30 PM ET

You can sign up here for reminders or just show up by clicking here.  

If a four-year-old can do it, you can too. Be the well-being catalyst for your neighborhood.

PS- As a parent coach and advocate for childhood independence, which gives our kids opportunities for agency and joy, Roman’s story is a perfect example of what can happen when we let our kids outside the front door in our neighborhood! None of this would have been possible without Roman being outside in the first place.