Social Change Wheel

I think the strongest section of the social change wheel that is present in my life is "Community Building".  For me, community building was very common in my hometown of St. Louis Park, Minnesota because I lived in such an amazing neighborhood.  Throughout my childhood, I witnessed what it meant to be part of a small community through events that happened in my neighborhood.
I've lived in the same house all my life, at the end of a dead-end block, surrounded by neighbors.  My neighbors are all very different people that run their households much differently from one another.  For instance, Sarah and Geo live at the other end of the block and are both art school graduates that drop F-bombs like they are in a competition.  Right across the street from them is an elderly Jewish couple, Ira and Judy, that only talk about their dog, Maggie May, or watches.  And right next door to them is a devout Christian family that goes to bed no later than 9 PM on weekends.  Their daughters, Kelly and Anna, knit, crochet, and bake for the neighbors just because it makes them happy.  With all these people from different background, you would think we wouldn't get along.  You would think we would want to stay away from each other and stick to "our own kind" because it's easier that way.  Actually, it is just the opposite of that...
Nearly every weekend, one of the neighbors has a gathering.  There doesn't have to be an occasion, but we try to think of excuses for them- "The Phanueff's are almost done remodeling their kitchen so they are hosting a happy hour to celebrate it!", "Mitch and Jeff are out of town on a fishing trip, pot luck for girls only!", "We haven't seen each other in while, bon fire at the Mullen's!"
Not all of our gatherings are focused on helping others in the community or having a fundraiser or anything like that, but I don't think that takes away from the community we build every time we get together.  I think the fact that nearly the entire neighborhood gathers under one roof, despite all our differences, to talk, laugh, and share stories is just as important.  My neighborhood has bonds that will never be broken.  (The Pink Flamingo Card Club has continued every winter from before the time I was born, adding new members and sometimes losing others.)  Everything we do as a neighborhood strengthens the bond we have with one another.  Our style of community building is about showing each other we are there for one another.  We're willing to help out each other because that's what a neighborhood should do.  Every once in a while, we do like to do something to give back to those around us who are less fortunate.  We have packed meals together at Feed My Starving Children, organized clothing drives with items we just couldn't sell in our neighborhood garage sale, and toured the surrounding neighborhoods singing holiday carols to raise awareness for the hungry. 
My neighborhood means so much to me, not because of the location, but because of the people that make up my neighborhood.  Although not all of our activities are obvious attempts to better the community, we take steps each time to prove that we can get along and respect one another.  My neighborhood sets a prime  example of community building.