Can you name everyone who lives on your street?

Even a simple introduction can make a neighbor feel like they belong.

Get to know the families that live around you.

Meet the kids and talk to the parents so that they know you are there if they ever need help. Social connection and social support are the cornerstones of family well-being and child safety.

Learn about how to support a survivor of abuse or neglect.

Find resources to help adult survivors of child abuse and stop the cycle of abuse in families.

Parenting is challenging at times (and sometimes very often) – for all parents.

Acknowledging this and offering support goes a long way. Offer resources, such as First5 Del Norte and Del Norte Child Care Council.

Help to reduce silence and isolation.

In Del Norte County, neglect is pervasive and a lot of time, abuse and neglect goes unnoticed. Be that person people reach out to for support.

Support local kids sports’ teams.

Most teams don’t get the crowds of a high school football game. Find a game in progress at a neighborhood park, pick a team, and cheer on the players.

“Fill in” for a friend or neighbor when they can’t attend a child’s dance recital or soccer game

It's not being nosy to show concern.

Sometimes the smallest actions - offering to carry groceries inside from the car, offering to mow the lawn when it gets overgrown - are the easiest to do.

If you’re concerned about someone, reach out.

Two useful resources: RAINN and the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Learn how to intervene in a situation where you’re concerned about domestic violence more about here.

Offer to babysit for relatives so that parents can enjoy a night off.

Have a regular neighborhood block party or potluck.

Go beyond a one-time meet-and-greet and establish lasting connections. Draft a simple flyer and knock on neighbors’ doors to invite them. If you have not already, introduce yourself and open your home for a gathering in the near future.

Watch out for each other.

If someone is sick or away for an extended period, take turns dropping off dinner or collecting the mail. If you haven’t seen a neighbor in awhile, stop by their house to make sure everything is okay.

Show the kids in your neighborhood what it means to be a good neighbor.

Say hello when you see each other outside, and offering to do things like collect a family's mail while they're on vacation.