Have you wondered why Resilient Los Altos sponsors block parties to help neighbors get to know each other? Have you asked yourself if it’s worth the effort to host a neighborhood get together?
Time for some science.
A comprehensive meta-analysis of the best scientific papers published earlier this year, “How does social capital facilitate community disaster resilience? A systematic review,” answered the question of whether social capital improves the resilience of communities to disasters like earthquakes and wildfires.
The answer? Yes. Neighbors getting to know and trust each other builds community resilience to disasters in multiple ways:
• Communication builds trust among residents
• Residents learn more about risks
• Residents work together to prepare for and respond to disasters
• Residents are better prepared for disasters
• People help each other when disaster occurs
FEMA emphasizes the importance of a whole community approach to preparedness, as people who know and trust each other, help each other.
For more information or help in planning a block party contact: [email protected].
Resilient Los Altos is a fiscally sponsored project of the Los Altos Mountain View Community Foundation.
Patricia Evans is a member of Resilient Los Altos.
