Scott Jones: Building Neighborhood Connections With Acts of Hospitality
Nov 9, 2023
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Scott Jones, co-founder and executive director of We Love Long Beach, discusses the power of simple gestures of hospitality in building deeper connections with neighbors. They delve into the uniqueness of Long Beach, the organization's initiatives to bring neighbors together, the importance of personal invitations, and how building relationships within a neighborhood can lead to problem-solving and resilience.
Acts of generosity and hospitality can lead to deeper connections with neighbors, fostering friendships, political collaboration, and combating loneliness.
Creating a culture of neighborliness requires a shift in mindset, support from society, and practical efforts like small acts of hospitality and involving neighbors in community events.
Deep dives
Building Connections through Acts of Generosity and Hospitality
Scott Jones, co-founder of We Love Long Beach, shares how their nonprofit encourages residents to build connections with their neighbors through acts of generosity and hospitality. They organize events like seasonal parties, temporary street shutdowns, and neighborhood groups to foster deeper connections and combat loneliness.
The Importance of Hospitality and Inviting Neighbors
Scott shares how a simple gesture of inviting neighbors to a breakfast event led to meaningful connections and a sense of belonging. He emphasizes the power of hospitality in creating these connections and the importance of listening to neighbors' stories.
Challenges in Fostering Neighborliness
Scott discusses the challenges of fostering neighborliness, including the lack of shared values prioritizing connection, busyness, and the lack of support from the government. He highlights the need for a shift in mindset and greater support for neighborliness at a societal level.
Practical Tips for Cultivating Second Ring Relationships
Scott offers practical tips for those looking to cultivate second ring relationships. He suggests starting with small acts of hospitality, creating flyers for events, and not doing it alone by finding a partner or involving neighbors. He also shares recommendations for local businesses in Long Beach to support.
On this episode of The Bottom-Up Revolution, host Tiffany Owens Reed talks with Scott Jones. Jones is a lifelong resident of Long Beach, California, where he is the co-founder and executive director of We Love Long Beach, a nonprofit that encourages and equips residents to build connections with their neighbors through acts of generosity and hospitality.
Their work shows how simple gestures of hospitality can be on-ramps to deeper connections with our neighbors, which can translate into friendships, meaningful political collaboration on the local level, and effective defense against loneliness.