This Neighborhood Is Apparently the “Kindest” in the Country
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“Kindness” is a buzzword that has come up more and more in recent years, especially in the midst of difficult times, from the pandemic to a polarizing political climate. Many of us might long for happier days in which neighbors dropped off casseroles and threw block parties. Oftentimes, it might seem as if kindness has gone by the wayside when we don’t even know our next-door neighbors’ names. And deep down, we might long for warmer, fuzzier experiences shared with members of our community.
Enter: Silverwood, a community in Hesperia, California that is making kindness a top priority. With an overall population of 100,744, this neighborhood has a small-town feel and a “culture of kindness” to boot.
But what does this “culture of kindness” look like? And how do residents contribute to this utopian vision?
A New Kind of Community
Calling it a “master-planned community” with a grand opening taking place later this spring, John Ohanian, General Manager of Silverwood, shares that the first residents will move in during the summer months. Sitting on more than 9,000 acres, over 15,000 homes will dot the land and will be built within the next 15 to 20 years. Paths and trails (a whopping total of 166 miles) abound, and at an elevation of 3,200 feet, you can’t beat the views of forests and mountains. And eventually, schools will be located throughout the community.
“Silverwood will be the small town built for the modern age. It will be a place where families will walk to their child’s school alongside neighbors, where backpacks are dropped for a game of volleyball in the park after school,” Ohanian says.
Silverwood will also hold community gatherings known as “Signature Events,” weekends filled with activities like hiking the nearby Pacific Crest Trail, celebrating the 4th of July, and lighting a Christmas tree to kick off the holiday season.
Ohanian says that this vision has arisen from home buyers and community members craving connection, “and research shows this supports our well-being,” he adds.
A Focus on Kindness
With all of these amenities and room to breathe and explore, it only seems natural that the good vibes continue through a “culture of kindness.”
“Silverwood is creating a place where acts of kindness will be modeled by staff and fostered in big and small ways,” Ohanian says. “From our commitment to supporting local charities during any and all community-wide gatherings to meal trains for neighbors, our staff will find ways to co-create these moments with residents.”
This also includes inviting neighbors to step forward as community leaders, charged with welcoming all new neighbors and creating opportunities for neighbors to gather and connect.
“Whether by potlucks or donuts in the park, we know that when people come together and break bread, connections are created,” Ohanian says, adding that simple acts like mowing a neighbor’s lawn when they are ill or pulling in their trash can when they’re working long hours will be par for the course.
“We envision neighbors inviting kids to come over for ice cream to give their mom or dad an hour of peace or a bit of quiet time. We imagine people gathering for a hike while discussing opposing sides of the latest hot topics while enjoying one another’s company amidst our iconic Joshua Trees. But it’s also coming alongside one another during difficult times, bringing meals when someone is sick, supporting each other through times of loss. It is about small, everyday moments and large-scale community-wide opportunities to give back.”
Although kindness is at the forefront of Silverwood, Ohanian explains that there isn’t a screening process or a legal agreement for kindness, and everyone is welcome to live in the community. Nothing is required, and no questions are asked. It’s simply something that Silverwood hopes that all residents will want to support, where kindness is the norm.
“We are confident our residents will be inspired to join us in creating a place where everyone feels seen and cared for and can experience the joy of giving and receiving kindness,” Ohanian says.
The “culture of kindness” is already catching on before the first residents have even moved in. Ohanian shares that at their first gathering with prospective home buyers, they invited everyone to donate food items to the local Rockin’ Our Disabilities food bank. “Floods of prospective homeowners arrived with bags of food, providing needed resources for families in the community,” he says.
Changing the World, One Neighbor at a Time
At Silverwood, Ohanian says that they “fervently believe” that if each of us chooses to lead with kindness, one at a time, we can have a profound impact on our world, and most certainly on the region we call home.
“We know when we care for one another, listen openly to one another, consider each other’s needs, and celebrate our similarities, the strength of our community will be seen and felt by everyone and quality of life will be strong,” he says. “We also know that kindness increases happiness, improves connection to others, raises satisfaction, and promotes lasting physical and mental well-being. Who wouldn’t want that?”
While Silverwood is undeniably an idyllic place, keep in mind that you can foster this “culture of kindness” right in your own backyard, by shoveling snow for a neighbor while they’re out of town, taking over a meal if a loved one is in the hospital, or simply smiling and saying hello whenever you’re out and about in your neighborhood.
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