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              In  '«ood neighborhood' policy
C'dale young unite with old
By Unda StaH.
James King, a 23-year old northeast Carbondale resident, has a good neighbor policy.
King not only preaches this policy but practices it through a project of voluntary services to ihe elderly residents of northeast
Carbondale.
Though not known aboui by many outside
the neighborhood ii serves. King's "good
neighbor" project strives to promote unity
and maintain rapport between the >*oung and
old of the northeast.
"Our main purpose Is to bridge the so-
called generation gap," said King, "We
want to snow ihe older residents that tbey
have not been forgotten by the younger generation and that we can and will relate to them."
Participants in the project Include black
fiiudcms at SIU and local youth who have oparc
time. Bach participant goes into a person's
home weekly and volunteers his services. One
of the first "good neighbor" projects was the
construction of a coal bin for an elderly
northeast woman.
"Good neighbor" services may range from
reading a It-tier to one who is blind to grocery shopping for one who Is sick to doing
major household repairs that are impossible
for older persons to do.
"Sometimes." King said, "the older folks
would Juki like to have someone to talk to."
rtortheasi residents who need "good neighbor*   services are sc^ngnt out by Mrs. Grace
Jones of the Neighborhood Resource Center
ai IOv Hast Jackson.
"She (Mrs. Jones) has been of tremendous help to the project by coordinating efforts of the center with ours." said King
who works out of SlU's University Services
io Carbondale.
liven though the program is progressing
fairly rapidly." said King, "there has been
a negative response from one sector of
the community which we hoped would lend
their support."
Thin sector —the merchants— were asked
for support in the way of donation of tools
and equipment, but they said "no." The tools
and equipment now used to make repairs
were   donated   by   neighborhood   residents.
King observed that older people in the
Toriheast neighborhood have much to offer
the young fn the exchange of Ideas and experiences.
However, he said, "Younger people must
take time to listen."
King added that be hoped more participation will be shown by SIU students in the
future.
Anyone interested in working in tbe program can contact King at University Services  to Carbondale  for a "rap" session.
"But," King added with a smile, "we
not only want those who are going to 'rap'
but those who are sincerely willing to work-"