#newark de

[uswe]

Okay, I am on city 4 of 5 for this trip, and all settled in to my hotel. I should now go out and explore, because I have like 4 and a half hours before my apartment viewing and I should actually take a look at the town.

But it’s raining.

[drivelikeaminister]

You're Welcome!

My faith tells me to create a culture of connection and belonging. My personal and institutional religion holds the worthiness and acceptance of every person as paramount. It is easy to say that someone belongs, that they are welcome. But saying a thing isn’t as easy as creating a feeling of belonging. Most people can think of a time when they were told “welcome” but either through action/inaction, words or deed, the feeling did not match the invitation. Whether you have felt that disconnect or not, here are some tangible (road related) examples of being welcoming (and not).

A few weeks ago, I went around my community and looked for examples of belonging, for examples of welcome, examples of acceptance... and examples of rejection and unwelcome. Let’s start with biking, a mode of transportation near and dear to my heart. I explored Newark, DE and took some pictures. If you are interested, I encourage you to explore your local community, to see if you can find similar signs of welcome and unwelcome.

Newark is a certified “Bicycle Friendly Community”, a certification from the League of American Bicyclists with certain criteria which must be met. The signs look promising, I am welcome as a cyclist. Below are a few more positive examples: bike lanes, multipurpose trails and maps and bike routes. As added bonuses, there are places with bike pumps, tools and covered parking.

This is looking good. There is specific verbiage saying I am welcome as a biker, and I can feel the welcome with some of the physical environment. But let’s continue exploring Newark. If I pan back from the sign labeling bike routes I can see that the intersection might not be as kind toward cyclists as the sign lets on... and there is a sign warning drivers of cyclists while also stating a speed limit which makes the cyclist in me fearful.

Then there are some other clues: confusing or dangerous markings, bike lanes which end mid-road, road crossings that I don’t quite understand... Added to the puzzling built environment is personal action. Sometimes bike lanes are used as parking, Uber drop off or delivery spaces.

As a cyclist I can hear both the words that biking is welcome and I can experience the reality that there are places where I am not completely welcome. Or, there are places I belong, but only if I act or participate in a certain way, as long as I am not an inconvenience to drivers.

This isn’t just about cycling. This can be generalized. I stick with built environment examples as they are literally tangible and easy to document. Let’s notice, instead, mobility and accessibility. If you don’t use a walker, scooter, cane or similar, take a moment to think about how it would be to get around if you did. If you do use a scooter or walker or wheelchair, you already know very deeply the signals and clues about where and how you are welcome or not.

Here are some more pictures from around Newark. A sidewalk with large breaks or steps; one partially covered with plant growth. The post office which doesn’t have an accessible entrance (due its historic status). Who is welcome on these sidewalks and in this post office?

How about a curb cutout which also serves as a business’s trash storage? Or a van accessible space completely inaccessible because of dumpster placement... What message does that send? It tells me that having space for trash is more important than having space for me. The welcome denoted by van accessible parking is overshadowed and dominated by the reality of the unwelcome.

We can keep going. Look again at the picture of the very welcoming bike path and covered rack. Yes, welcoming to cyclists... but there is a sign saying, “No loitering”. The pavilion may look a bit odd... well, there used to be benches here and there also used to be un-housed people who could spend evenings here with some cover from the elements. Those people are not welcome. In other spots around town I find benches, but with armrests in the middle. The extra armrest isn’t so you can rest your arms, it is so people aren’t able to sleep. The message saying “you are not welcome here” is loud and clear for anyone who needs a place to lie down and rest. The sense of unwelcome is loud and clear.

It continues. There is so much more. The built environment, actions... language is a powerful place where people can feel welcome or not based on unconscious choices. Do I use gendered language which excludes? Only seeing physical representations or hearing pronouns different from one’s own feels exclusionary. Sometimes I talk about “standing” for a cause of the importance of “being seen”. Is this ablest language? Oh yes language is rife with metaphors, but hearing language which doesn’t include you sends a message.

So what do we do? How can we create a feeling of belonging and welcome past mere words? I think it takes three components: observing, listening and changing.

The work of belonging starts with being aware and noticing. Take note of places and messages which are being sent or perceived, both explicitly and implicitly. Then listen. Listen to people and their experiences. Listening not just to hear them but to trust personal experiences and truth. Listening means we try to understand the sense of belonging which another feels or doesn’t feel without judgment or persuasion. That might be the hardest part, to actually and truly pay attention to someone else’s experiences of belonging. Then we need to change: take those observations, those gleanings from listening and then to make positive change in the community.

These three steps - listening, observing and changing - are not linear or necessarily done in one order. When we change, we might make a mistake and need to listen again. When we are open to other people and their realities we may notice things differently. I hear my coworker’s experience of women being interrupted more than men... I might notice it more often and hopefully say something. My friend who uses a walker tells me their experiences trying to get around town and I start to notice and speak up too. We observe, we listen, we change.

What do you observe, what do you hear, what can you change? Go around the communities you are part of and see if you can cultivate a sense of belonging and a reality of welcome.

[campospavingde]

Expert Paving Company in Newark de

Business Name: Corbin Restoration

City: Coon Rapids

Business Type: Deck Builder

Page URL: https://campospavingde.com/

Page Title: Expert Paving Company in Newark de

Page Description: Looking for trusted asphalt services in Delaware? Campos Paving is your local expert paving company in Newark, DE. We bring top-tier workmanship, long-lasting materials, and reliable timelines to every project. Whether it’s a sleek blacktop driveway or a durable commercial parking lot, we deliver results that hold up — season after season, year after year.

Our Paving Services

At Campos Paving, we take pride in offering full-service asphalt paving tailored to both homeowners and commercial property owners. Every job gets our full attention — no quick fixes or rushed finishes.

Asphalt Paving

Our asphalt paving services help enhance the appearance and function of your property. From new surfaces to overlays, we use premium materials and exacting methods to ensure long-term performance

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Driveway Paving

As experienced driveway paving contractors, we create clean, durable driveways that boost your home’s curb appeal and withstand tough weather. From suburban homes in Brookside to estates outside Newark, we build it to last.

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Driveway Replacement

When cracks and shifting start to take over your driveway, it’s time for a full replacement. We remove the old material and rebuild from the base up — giving you a safe, even surface that’s ready for years of use.

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Commercial Paving

As a reliable commercial paving company, we serve everything from retail parking lots to apartment complexes. We understand the importance of a clean finish that reflects well on your business and keeps people safe.

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Sealcoating and Crack Filling

We help extend the life of your asphalt with protective sealcoating and detailed crack filling. This step keeps water, oil, and sun damage from compromising your pavement’s strength.

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Parking Lot Paving

Local businesses trust us as their go-to parking lot paving experts. We offer solutions that balance function and aesthetics, ensuring smooth traffic flow and a professional appearance.

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[la-quotidienne-cest-moi]

Sunset

[humanismtoday]

A Delaware mayor who came out for church/ state separation,  is exactly right, the Govt. shouldn’t be promoting religion, and churches don’t get to promote their religion on public property paid for by all, except of course, those very churches.

Good Job, Mayor Kuhns standing up for Separation of Church and State

https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2019/11/14/with-refreshing-bluntness-delaware-mayor-rejects-public-nativity-scene/

[champthehippie]

Honeygrow: Restauranting for Introverts

A high-tech fast-casual noodle shop with a fantastic Millennial attitude.

Technology changes everything, eventually, and restaurants are no different.  Wawa (like Circle K or Sheetz) and Applebee’s were the first to do it around here: touch screen ordering stations.  Applebee’s uses them in conjunction with servers; Wawa in place of an ordering cashier.  Honeygrow takes the latter approach; at no point does one have to interact with an employee.  It’s a fast-casual…

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[sildarmillion-grounds]

Spring Semester, 2009

[sildarmillion-grounds]

Spring Semester, 2009