Windy Hills

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NEIGHBORHOOD OBSERVATIONS & INTERVIEWS P E R C E P T I O N O F S O J O U R N E A S T Several people spoke warmly of Sojourn’s property itself as a hub of the neighborhood. In addition, several people mentioned how Calvin Presbyterian had been a church that reached out to the whole neighborhood in a very warm and loving way – especially the daycare/preschool that used to be housed there. Calvin was free with giving out keys to the facility and allowing access to the building. Since Sojourn began hosting events, there have been occasional concerns from one or two people worried about church/state issues with the church hosting community functions. However, the overall perception of Sojourn in the neighborhood is very positive. Even our attempts to seek out criticism yielded no results. The mayor anticipated lots of complaints about additional Sunday morning traffic, but those complaints have not materialized. There have been a few concerns about the parking lot runoff, and speculation about how we will eventually use the property, especially given its importance to the community as a green space. Kids ride their bikes or walk over to kick a ball around, walk the dog, play basketball, or to play on the playground equipment. Neighborhood residents use the field for soccer games and events, and people are constantly on the walking path. Historically, the neighbors used to be muchmore isolated from one another than they are now, since the sidewalk was built, and the church building is now an important outdoor/green space being used regularly by the neighborhood.
O L D E R R E S I D E N T S Many older people in Windy Hills are isolated. Some struggle to get out and some are caring for ill family members. The city council has identified elder outreach as a major focus area as the neighborhood ages, as 1/3 or more of the population of Windy Hills are aging. Many residents desire to age in place, defined as the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level. The dynamic of older residents moving out and younger people moving in seems to trouble some older residents, as they fear being displaced. This feeling is exacerbated by younger and newer residents seeming more likely to move on to another, “better” neighborhood in a few years weakening the possibility for deeper connections. Many of the older generation have been in the same homes for 30 years or more. This issue continued to come up prompting the city council to put together a packet of information to help seniors in the community age in place rather than move to assisted living. They see this as a very important part of their work. According to one resident, more people struggle financially and with “respectable” or hidden issues than might be immediately apparent. Alcoholism, borderline poverty, drug abuse are not unknown in Windy Hills, just less obvious than they might be in some neighborhoods. 10
Page 1 and 2: WINDY HILLS Sojourn East Neighborho
Page 3 and 4: INTRODUCTION After six years of hol
Page 5 and 6: HISTORY OF WINDY HILLS Windy Hills
Page 7 and 8: DEMOGRAPHICS LOCATION 9 miles from
Page 9: P R I V A C Y & S E C U R I T Y Alm
Page 13 and 14: P O L I C E A N D G O V E R N M E N
Page 15 and 16: SOJOURN EAST ASSETS P R O P E R T Y
Page 17 and 18: SOJOURN EAST ASSETS U N T A P P E D
Page 19 and 20: MONTHLY PRAYER GUIDE JANUARY Ask Go

Windy Hills

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