My Neighbour Has a Generator. I Had No Idea.
This summer I brought a simple question to block parties, fairs, and conferences:
What supports you in times of change?
The answers warmed me because they were so mundane/accessible/relational. A neighbour mentioned she has a generator but has never told anyone on her block. Someone else said they always have a three-month supply of diabetes testing strips but would have no idea how to ask if they ran out. A man said he has an extra room and has always assumed he'd offer it in an emergency - but he's never actually said that out loud to anyone.
All of this unspoken capacity, with desire to act. But never having the conversation that would allow for that information to allow someone else relief, or building a relationship that would be supportive to both people.
This is what I've learned from Sites of Transformation, my participatory art project that asks people what they already carry into times of change: community resilience already exists in most neighbourhoods. It just hasn't been named yet. The generator, the extra room, the testing strips - these are all part of your emergency kit. You just don't know it yet because you haven't had the conversation.
And here's the thing about that conversation: it makes the kit easier to build. When you know your neighbour has a camp stove, you don't need to buy one. When you know someone two doors down has a vehicle, your evacuation plan looks different. You're not doing this alone - you never were. You just needed a reason to find out.
If this is resonating, you might also want to read my earlier posts on building care networks before emergeny strikes and building your kit without the overwhelm - they're part of the same series.
Tips: Starting the Community Conversation Before Crisis Hits
Name one thing you have and one thing you need - write it down. That's the start of your community asset map.
Ask one neighbour one question this week - "Do you have an emergency kit?" is enough to open the door.
Identify who on your block might need extra support - someone elderly, living alone, or managing a chronic condition.
Share what you're willing to offer - a spare room, a vehicle, a skill. Say it out loud to someone.
Don't wait until you have it all figured out - an incomplete kit shared with neighbours is more resilient than a perfect kit kept to yourself.
Want to explore this further? Join me for Pack It: DIY 72-Hour Emergency Kit, a trauma-informed, interactive online workshop where we build our kits together using what we already have at home. No shopping required. Come with a friend - it's more fun, and you'll have someone to keep the momentum going after.
📅 Wednesday, October 28 | 6:00–7:30pm PST | Online | $5–$25 CAD sliding scale
Ways to Work With Me
🌿 Inclusive Community Preparedness Workshops A trauma-informed, creative, and strengths-based approach to navigating uncertainty. Designed for schools, organizations, and community groups. Explore Workshops
🌿 Equity Leadership Coaching For leaders who are transitioning, feel alone, and want to leave a legacy they're proud of. 12 sessions of one-on-one coaching over 6 months. Explore Coaching
🌿 Sites of Transformation Participatory Art Project Surfaces how participants are already equipped for change. Creates a visual archive of the strengths in the group, whether it's a conference or a block party. Learn More
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