#4Myself
It all starts with you! When each of us is at our best, our city is at its best. What’s one thing you can do that will help you become a better you? Maybe it’s reading a book, taking a class to learn a new skill, hitting the gym, or taking a walk around a nearby lake or park. We challenge you to take the first step to make our city stronger by investing in yourself!
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Get a membership at your local Saint Paul recreation center
- Plan a route to bike around the city
- Renew or get your library card and check out a book at Saint Paul’s late fine free libraries
- Participate in the Saint Paul Public Libraries “Read Brave” program
#4Someone
What’s something you can do to make life easier or better for someone around you? Maybe it’s helping a family member or neighbor with their homework. Maybe it’s shoveling a neighbor’s sidewalk or taking a little extra time to mow their lawn. Perhaps you can remind a neighbor to move their car for a snow emergency or sign up to be a mentor or coach. Whatever it is, make it something real and something from the heart.
Here’s some more information on ways you can help someone around you who calls our city home:
- Become a certified youth coach with Saint Paul Parks and Recreation
- Computer classes and labs - assist with or teach basic computer skills.
- Become a Createch Mentor- Engage with teens one-on-one or in groups with digital devices and activities. Help work on projects that inspire teens to use their creativity.
- English Conversation Circles - lead discussion groups with English language learners.
- Homework Center - tutor and mentor students of all ages.
- Innovation Lab Assistant – Assist and teach adult patrons to use 3-D computers. laser engravers and other innovative equipment and software in the Lab to create innovative work.
- Volunteer to read one-on-one with a child at the library.
#4Community
We all want to live in a neighborhood where we’re all connected and that we’re proud to call home. What little thing can you do to bring people together in your part of the city or help it look better? Take a few minutes to pick up litter on your block. Maybe as a neighbor to help. Plant a garden in your yard or join up with neighbors to create a community garden. Host a get together with your neighbors as part of National Night Out or any other night of the week!
Each of us has the power to make our corner of the city better! Here are some ideas:
- Host a National Night Out Party
- Throw a cookout or yard party with your neighbors
- Help with the city-wide neighborhood clean up
- Ask a neighbor or two to help with a one time litter pick up on your street
- Adopt a block or adopt a trash container for your street
- Adopt a stormwater drain on your block
- Plant a boulevard rain garden garden
#4AllofUs
Building a city and a society that works for all of us is only possible when all of us use our voices. As Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King said, you don’t need to have a college degree or make your subject and verb agree to serve. All it takes is the willingness to speak up about what matters to you. It can be as simple as writing a letter your local or national elected official about an issue that matters to you. You can attend a community meeting, come to a city council meeting, join your neighborhood district council, or apply for appointment to a board or commission. What one thing will you do to bring your ideas and concerns into the conversation about our community’s future?
- Find out who represents you and write them an email about an issue you care about
- Attend a city council meeting
- Play the budget game at an Our City, Our Budget community meeting with Mayor Carter
- Join your neighborhood district council
- Apply to serve on a Saint Paul board or commission