WE CARE PALESTINE Focus on good neighboring fosters community renewal
By Lisa Tang
During her early years in Palestine , Rev . Lynn Willhite grew up in a good home and felt protected by her family ’ s caring neighbors . The world she grew up in felt safer than today ’ s because people took time to get to know their neighbors and often helped each other in times of need .
Moving back to her hometown led the ordained Methodist pastor to observe that people had grown more distant and withdrawn from each other and crime had increased .
After learning about Community Renewal International of Shreveport , Louisiana , almost 15 years ago , Willhite felt she had found a solution that could help Palestine . She founded WE CARE Palestine in 2016 based on principles similar to the nonprofit organization started by Mack McCarter in 1994 .
In Shreveport , CRI has built 10 Friendship Houses to revitalize neighborhoods and is still expanding its reach . The organization has reduced crime by 50 %, helped families grow , and kept children in school . Willhite hopes to build a Friendship House in Palestine some day , but for now she is raising money and awareness .
Through WE CARE , Willhite draws attention to the need for what she calls “ good neighboring ,” or the act of being a good neighbor to others . Many in Palestine have heard of or attended the annual Good Neighbor Banquet , which Willhite dubbed “ a celebration of good neighboring .”
More than 170 people attended the 2022 WE CARE banquet , which featured a speaker from CRI and an award ceremony that honors good neighbors by telling stories of what they did to help one another throughout the year .
Some won the award because they came to the rescue when a neighbor ’ s pipes burst and flooded their home during freezing weather . Others opened their home to someone who needed shelter or did a neighbor ’ s yard work when they fell ill . Others are nominated for their cheerful , giving spirit . Nominees for the Good Neighbor Award receive public recognition at the banquet and a certificate . Other attendees receive inspiration from the encouraging stories .
Though isolation and disconnect among neighbors has increased significantly in today ’ s world , the WE CARE model offers tangible solutions . One by one , Willhite is recruiting others to participate in initiatives such as WE CARE ’ s Action Team , which meets monthly to discuss how the organization can influence the community .
The banquet is one example of the Action Team ’ s initiatives , and has helped WE CARE create greater awareness of the need for good neighboring . Participation in parades and Christmas tree decorating contests are other initiatives that have increased awareness . Willhite and others have also met with civic leaders to build relationships and determine how to best help the community .
The block leader program is another key initiative of WE CARE Palestine and provides outreach within neighborhoods . Individuals are recruited to develop relationships among their neighbors and lead events at the block level .
Stephanie Wright joined WE CARE Palestine five years ago and now serves as the group ’ s Block Leader Coordinator . She said the cause was easy to latch onto because it aligns with her personal values .
“[ WE CARE ] aligns so much with what I believe ,” Wright said . “ It ’ s really accessible for anyone who has a vision for community .”
Wright started out by intentionally getting to know her neighbors and attending Action Team meetings . Serving as a Block Leader did not come naturally to her , however , as she grew up in an isolated rural home without neighbors .
However , Wright admired WE CARE ’ s goals for creating a stronger community and took small steps to get involved .
“ Anybody can get involved at some level ,” Wright said . “ Doing WE CARE can give that extra little push , in a healthy way , to connect with people , and even to build a small community within one ’ s neighborhood .”
Wright described the many benefits of getting to know one ’ s neighbors , which she has done in her own neighborhood .
“ There ’ s the potential for just being there for someone in time of need , whether it ’ s a health crisis or a weather emergency [ or ] even reducing crime .”
Wright is planning an ice cream social this
PALESTINE MAGAZINE | SPRING 2022 | 9