THE MINISTRY OF BEING PRESENT ICCF’s Community Connectors live alongside residents in our multifamily housing to facilitate places of welcome and belonging for our neighbors.
“We tried to build a community of normality during the storm,” shared Kelvin. “We allow people to be who they are in their own space. I go door to door and chat with people, and I let them know it’s fine if you don’t show up to events, but if you ever need anything don’t hesitate to let me know.”
Behind each door in our multifamily apartment buildings is a story. We want to not only provide housing opportunities for our neighbors, but also create spaces where they are actively welcomed into a thriving community. That’s where our Community Connectors come in.
Kelvin keeps regular office hours so that he’s available to residents who want to meet. He hosts monthly gatherings with a snack bar and has helped plan special resident celebrations around the holidays. Kelvin arranged an open group visit from a professional therapist for residents struggling with grief and loss. Over the summer, they had an outdoor barbecue where residents could meet their neighbors and a clean-up day where they could beautify their space together.
These ICCF team members live in an apartment at each of our multifamily buildings — 435 LaGrave, Steepleview, Stockbridge, 415 Franklin, and Emerald Flats — and are tasked with forming relationships with their neighbors. Their duties might look like fielding questions about homeownership opportunities, connecting families to food and employment resources, or simply hosting an event in shared community space. The power of their position comes from their proximity to the neighbors, as they are able to live and work in the same space as the residents they serve. Crossing paths with neighbors becomes an organic experience in the hallways, athletic rooms, business offices, and other shared spaces in each building. Kelvin Jackson began his work as a Community Connector at 435 LaGrave right before the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost immediately, he had to pivot his previous ideas for in-person activities to accommodate safety measures. But soon it became evident that interpersonal connection was going to be even more important than before. 4
Kelvin said, “I’m grateful that ICCF had a vision of not just making affordable housing, but also dealing with people as people — the residents as well as homeowners — seeing the need, making things personable. To help residents have a voice.” While we were working to place a Community Connector at Emerald Flats this winter, the Madison Church: North campus has already begun to live out that commitment. Pastor Joy Bonnema describes how their presence onsite goes far beyond Sunday mornings, with midweek fellowship meetings, pickup basketball games in the gym, and community suppers. Their gatherings are open to all residents, and many community members have tried them out. There is a text chain to pass along information, and B L U E P R I N T S Winter 2022