Ross (the Boss) of NDG's Blog

  From Dreaming of a Better World to Building One A New Book by Ross Harvey For more than two decades, I have dreamed of a world in which every human being has the opportunity to live an extraordinary life. A world where poverty is eliminated, where everyone has access to everything they need to thrive, where communities are built upon love, kindness, generosity, cooperation and caring for one another. I call this vision A NuVo World — Heaven on Earth. Over the years, I have written extensively about this possibility. I have imagined new ways of living, working, learning, playing, sharing and caring. I have envisioned a society in which money no longer determines the quality of a person's life. But something has changed. I believe I am moving from the age of imagining to the age of creating. From ideating to building. From asking "What if?" to asking "How do we make it happen?" My newest book, Imagine NDG , represents this transformation. Rather than envisioning...

  What if everyone in NDG had somewhere they knew they would be missed? There's a beautiful feeling that comes from arriving somewhere and hearing someone say, "There you are! We were hoping you'd come!" It might happen at a neighbourhood café, a church, a community centre, or among a familiar group of people waiting for the school bus. It's a simple moment, but it carries a powerful message. You matter. Your presence makes a difference. We're glad you're here. From Being Recognized to Belonging I dream of an NDG where everyone experiences that feeling regularly. Imagine a senior who lives alone knowing that friends look forward to seeing her every Wednesday. A newcomer discovering that the people at a local gathering remember his name. A young parent finding a welcoming group where nobody needs an invitation to join the conversation. We often think of community building as organizing events, launching programs or creating new services. But perhaps one of ...

  What if the knowledge we need to make life better is already living right next door? Somewhere in NDG, there's a retired carpenter who knows how to repair almost anything. There's a grandmother who can teach someone to prepare an extraordinary meal. A teenager who understands computers. A neighbour who speaks three languages. Someone who knows how to grow beautiful flowers, fix a bicycle or sew a button. Imagine bringing all that wonderful knowledge together! What if NDG became a neighbourhood where everyone had something to teach — and everyone had something to learn? The NDG Neighbourhood Skill Exchange I envision a simple community initiative where neighbours share their knowledge freely. No tuition fees. No complicated organization. Just people helping people. Perhaps a retired teacher helps someone improve their English. A young person helps a senior navigate the internet. A gardener teaches children how to grow vegetables. Community centres, libraries, schools and local...

  What if something as simple as a bench could help transform our neighbourhood? Imagine walking along Somerled, Monkland or Sherbrooke and finding a comfortable bench beneath a beautiful tree. A senior stops to rest. A mother sits with her young child. Two neighbours strike up a conversation. Someone enjoying a morning walk pauses to appreciate the world around them. Nothing extraordinary appears to be happening. And yet, something wonderful is taking place. A simple place to sit has become a place to belong. Making NDG a Neighbourhood for Everyone I would love to see NDG become a community where nobody feels they have to hurry through life. Where people with limited mobility can enjoy a comfortable walk, knowing there will be somewhere to rest. Where seniors can spend time outdoors without worrying about how far they must travel before sitting down. And where benches become little gathering places, inviting neighbours to linger, talk and enjoy one another's company. Imagine local...

  What if Halloween reminded us of something wonderful we could practise all year long? Tonight, something magical will happen throughout NDG. Children dressed as superheroes, princesses, ghosts and all manner of imaginary creatures will venture into our neighbourhood streets. Doors will open. Smiles will be exchanged. Treats will be shared. And for a few wonderful hours, many neighbours who rarely speak to one another will experience the simple joy of connection. Imagine if we could carry a little of that Halloween magic into every day of the year! A Neighbourhood That Welcomes Everyone I love the idea of NDG becoming a place where everyone feels welcome. Where children know their neighbours. Where newcomers feel included. Where seniors feel connected to the life happening around them. And where opening our doors — or simply opening our hearts — becomes second nature. We don't need elaborate programs to make this happen. We need opportunities to come together, reasons to smile and...

  What if the entire neighbourhood became a celebration of creativity, imagination and beauty? Imagine walking along Somerled, Monkland or Sherbrooke and discovering beautiful artwork displayed in shop windows. Paintings created by children. Photographs taken by seniors. Colourful drawings, handmade crafts and inspiring messages created by our neighbours. Imagine apartment buildings displaying residents' artwork in their lobbies, restaurants showcasing local artists, and schools sharing their students' creations with the entire community. Welcome to the NDG Neighbourhood Art Gallery! Beauty Belongs to Everyone I believe creativity is one of the most wonderful gifts we possess. And you don't have to be a professional artist to create something beautiful. A child's drawing can bring as much joy as an expensive painting. A handmade card can brighten someone's entire day. What if we encouraged everyone in NDG to share something they've created? We could turn ordinar...