CRC Ice Cream Socials Promote Blended Neighborhoods

The Community Relations Coalition (CRC) is again this year hosting ice cream socials in three East Lansing neighborhoods where permanent residents and MSU students live together: Bailey, Red Cedar, and Oakwood. As the host of the Oakwood social, and as someone who has lived in Oakwood first as an MSU student and now as a homeowner, I would encourage everyone to attend.

I host the Ice Cream Social for the Oakwood neighborhood specifically because I lived in the neighborhood when I was in school and I remember what it was like to not feel connected to the residents who lived around me. Being a younger non-student resident in the neighborhood, I feel my presence as someone who bridges the gap between the college kids and the residents with families is important for showing that not everyone who lives in the neighborhood is exclusively either in school or already married with a family.

Residents who attend can interact with all of the neighbors they live with, not just the familiar faces they see year in and year out.  Students living in our neighborhood should feel welcomed to help everyone get to know each other, which in turn will help reduce complications if any issues arise.  It's much easier to have a conversation with a student who you have already met than walking up to a house not knowing a single person. Also, you never know if one of the students you meet will turn out to be a babysitter for your kids or watch your dog while you are gone for a weekend.

You can't know who you will meet unless you take the time to get to know your neighbors, including the students. So come join us:
today, Thursday, September 6, in Bailey at 236 Kedzie Street, 6-7 pm
next Tuesday, September 11, in Red Cedar 1054 Marigold Avenue, 6-7 pm
Thursday, September 20, in Oakwood at my house, 630 Sunset Lane, 6-7 pm

If you'd like to read more about the CRC, check out the CRC's website.