Earlier this year, I (Eric Smith) began coaching two incredible Neighborhood Connectors — Trish in Birmingham Terrace and Mandy in Ravine Village — through a new partnership with the Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority (LMHA). Both neighborhoods are low-income, subsidized housing communities, where resilience runs deep & hope hard-won.
To give you a glimpse into the world I’ve been serving, let me share a brief story. One of Trish’s early actions was to host a roundtable conversation for Birmingham residents. Of the seven women who attended, three had lost children to gun preventable tragedies.
The heartbreak in these neighborhoods is real. And yet, in that moment, we also witnessed something powerful: a deep, shared desire for change. That’s the work of Neighborhood Connectors like Trish and Mandy — residents who, with part-time support, are listening to their neighbors, connect them to resources, and mobilizing action.
Trish and Mandy’s impact is evident after a few short months. Pictured here are a couple of scenes from an event they organized with “Don Don” (a committed former resident) & others.
Trish: Birmingham Terrace Connector
Tell us a little about yourself. I enjoy helping. I love to change people’s perspective in life.
What did you do before becoming a Community Connector? I was a suicide prevention specialist. I had a case load of 55 people. Every one them was saved and able to manage their lives by the end of the grant.
What’s something unique? My first career I was part of a band and big in the music scene. That was before kids.
Mandy: Ravine Village Connector
Tell us a little about yourself. I’m a great listener. Sometimes people just need to vent.
What motivates you to be a Community Connector? The people. I love meeting new people and getting to know them and their likes and interests.
What’s an impact that you’ve had so far that you’re most proud of? We had an event for the kids. This was my first event. They had a blast, the kids loved it.
Mandy’s favorite quote is, “If you change the way you look at things the things you look at change” (Wayne Dyer). Trish and Mandy are already making an impact by virtue of their seeing their neighborhoods through an abundance lense!