February 1996                                                                       Lansing, MI
View on Verlinden
From the staff of the Sense of Community Project at Michigan State University.

Hello Verlinden Residents! We would like to thank you for your participation in the survey that we conducted a few months ago. The purpose of the survey was to find out how strong of a sense of community exists on your block. We would like to share with you what we have learned in the survey. The information you provided enabled us to know and understand how different and unique Verlinden Street is from the rest of the neighborhoods in Lansing.
 

Let’s take a look at what people living on Verlinden said.

HELLO
 
 


Verlinden Neighbors Support and Care About One Another

Verlinden neighbors appear to contribute to a tremendously supportive environment. Everyone interviewed agreed that neighbors watch out for each other, comfort each other in times of need, and give each other rides when needed. Over half of you said that you take care of each others’ plants, pets, and kids(67%); and that you help each other out with problems(83%). In addition, all (100%) of you said that you think of yourselves as a community; that you trust one another; and that you like one another. This mutual support and care demonstrated by your block is quite impressive!

Strong Sense of Belonging and Safety

Most of you (80%) feel that you belong on this block. In fact, 83% said that you share the same values; and again 83% said that a feeling of community spirit exists among the people on your block. Not only is there a sense of belonging, but one of safety as well. All (100%) of you said that the block is a safe place to live and that it is even safe to walk on at night. All (100%) of you indicated that your block has less criminal activity than other blocks in Lansing.

Although 83% of you said that you know each other, only 33% indicated that

2                                                                                                         View on Verlinden
you participate in social activities such as pot lucks or group garage sales. However, 50 % said that you do socialize with one another; and 50% of you said that people on the block feel like a family. Sixty percent of you indicated that you are not interested in becoming leaders for the block. However, all (100%) of you indicated that you are either somewhat interested (40%) or very interested (60%) in working together to improve conditions on your block. This implies that you are willing to work together without necessarily needing a leader to coordinate activities.
 
 



Residents Work Together

The responses to community activism were overwhelmingly high among residents. In general, most of the responses about participation to improve neighborhood conditions were positive. Most of you said:

  • residents participate in community improvement activities such as community clean-ups (60%).
  • residents can persuade the city to respond to their needs (60%)
  • residents can reduce the amount of crime on the block (67%)
  • residents can create solutions when faced with problems (67%)
  • residents get things done together to improve the block (67%)
  • residents feel that they have a voice regarding important community issues (100%)
  • residents participate in the curbside recycling program (100%)
Congratulations on your willingness to work together!
 

Sense of Community On Verlinden

Overall, Verlinden appears to have a rather positive sense of community. Everyone we interviewed said that the sense of community was "just about right." Everyone mentioned residents as contributors to the sense of community people feel on Verlinden.

One of the more interesting viewpoints you stated was your response to the question, "What is the major problem facing this block?" Only one person indicated that there was a problem. This was a concern that the "streets need to be redone."

Overall, you indicated that Verlinden residents care for one another and work together to improve conditions on the block.

If you have any questions about this survey, please do not hesitate to call John Schweitzer at 353-9145, Urban Affairs Programs at Michigan State University.