Jessica YorkoWestside Commercial Association

Manager

www.lansingswestside.com

jessica@nwlansing.org

517-214-5684 … the biggest crimeis just to throw up your hands

say this has nothing to do with meI just want to live as comfortably as

I can

you got to look outside your eyesyou got to think outside your brain

you got to walk outside you lifeto where the neighborhood changes

- Ani Difranco, Willing to Fight

Mobilize the Positive Potential in People & Places.

Ask Everyone What They Want

And Ask Everyone To Help

Small Changes Count

Flowers & Other Green Things Make People Feel Good

So Does Art

So Do Really Good Parties

But Don’t Forget About the Hard Things… Like Live-able Streets & Vacant Buildings.

•If you want respect, you have to give it.

•Building trust takes time.

•Don’t Give In To Despair - there is always a way.

•Most things don’t work quite as planned, so be flexible & quick on your toes.

•You CAN’T Do it All Yourself.

•Including more people means listening and using their ideas.

•Change is incremental. It’s not immediate.

•There is always more to learn.

“Why is it that in 2007, we need all these government programs and non-profits to have a business district on Lansing’s Westside?” – Michael Flowers, grew up on Lansing’s Westside

“You have no idea what it’s like to not feel ashamed of where you live anymore.” – 2007 Street Makeover Participant

“When Erika said that it’s hard to do [the mural] with one person, that made me thing that’s a good thing that I’m here, helping out.” - Erik McClinton, Age 8

“Well, I guess it’s just like Obama says. We just have to trust each other and move forward together.” – Ora Fuller, Shanora’s Beauty Supply, about the Westside Mural

you've got your whole life to do something and that's not very

long-- Ani Difranco, Willing to

Fight