Do you feel like you are having a hard time connecting to your residents? You really care for them, but can’t seem to build the trust you need. Don’t feel like a failure. This is a common problem across the board. It’s not just you. Although there is no perfect solution for this, but there is one thing that you can do to begin breaking down the barrier walls between you.
Hosting events is a great way to begin to connect and build trust with residents. It doesn’t have to be anything lavish. It can be as simple as opening up your office for them to come get a cup of coffee and chat to as big as hosting block parties. So don’t stress yourself out adding a lot to your already loaded work load.
Food is the glue that fixes the great divide. You know the saying about, “all great things begin at the dinner table”? That saying is true for so many reasons. And no we don’t just mean sitting down at the dinner table, we mean food in general. Invite your guests to come eat together. Whether it’s a cookout or a “stop in and grab a snack” type event, you will be surprised what the outcome will be. Enemies will sit at the same event enjoying their plate of food, and the same resident that acts like they hate you will laugh with you because they are having a good time.
Having events in your housing authority communities gives you a chance to talk to people right where they are, without the suit or the desk. Without the formal jargon, just you and them relaxing, having fun, and being yourself. These types of events are what start to turn the tide. They help to bridge
the gap between you and them. They start to no longer feel like you are the mean person telling them what to do all of the time or getting on them about being late on their rent. They feel like you are a person just like them, and that thought makes a world of a difference in the amount of trust they have
for you.
That is not the only thing hosting events can do. It also gives you the ability to hear from them as well. Once they get comfortable with you, they start to open up to you about things, and that can help you understand them better, and to understand why they might do or say the things they do. It will also give you the opportunity to hear their dreams and goals, which will help you to understand how to better help them. Lastly, it also gives you the opportunity to do better at what you do. Once they feel more comfortable with you, they may start to feel more comfortable telling you what they would like you to do better. Although sending out surveys and having open door policy signs posted at your office is great, you will get much better feedback while out and about having real-life conversations with people.
Try it out!
You may be surprised what great things will come out of it.
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