Jerry Cable
When Jerry Cable was voted in as the neighborhood association president of Medical Community, he modestly said, “Hopefully, I can make our area better.” Through Possibilities Innovation Program, Jerry says he’s learned to do more listening than talking. It must be working well for him, because he has held five crime prevention events that each attracted between 200-400 people, has delivered more than 100 Christmas baskets to isolated seniors and has built a sense of community identity in the neighborhood that has achieved lower crime rates, numerous beautification efforts, and increased property values. In his community, Jerry is regarded as a trusted friend to the community that works tirelessly for everyone!
After moving to Northeast Oklahoma City, Jerry took great pride in his own home, and received compliments from his neighbors. As he met neighbors, they invited him to the neighborhood association meetings and Possibilities. Jerry was unsure about Possibilities at first, but about a year into it, he started to figure things out. He has participated in Possibilities Innovation Program and reports gaining skills to work with others. He now stops and listens before making judgment or comments, and thinks of others’ feelings. He knows how to handle complicated situations, like when he persuaded neighbors who came to a meeting to complain to become active block captains. He brings ideas from Possibilities back to the neighborhood association, which is working to address issues like crime and drugs in the community. He finds the motivation to stay involved in his community working with Possibilities. He is able to reach outside of his comfort zone, and apply “out of the box” ideas to encourage others.
As the neighborhood association president, Jerry has guided lots of action in Medical Community. Beautification efforts have grown – around the community and with people taking care of their own property. There are regular block parties and National Night Out events to fight the crime and drugs. The community has neighborhood garage sales, and has received grants for lighting, neighborhood signage, and landscaping. While delivering newsletters, Jerry noticed elderly neighbors who lived alone on the newsletter route. That year, Jerry started the tradition of delivering Christmas Baskets to elderly residents filled with food, gifts, and other goodies. He feels it is important to give back to and honor senior citizens who have given their community so much. Now, each year neighbors fill Jerry’s house to help make the baskets; in fact, there are so many volunteers that Jerry worries how they will all fit in the house!
Medical Community neighborhood is a different community now. Crime is reduced. Property values have increased – Jerry reports that the values have tripled since 1991. There are more neighbors involved and more neighborhood association members. Membership has grown from just a few to more than 60. Things are brighter and happier around the neighborhood – people have something to look forward to. People are talking to each other and are appreciative of everyone’s efforts. Jerry feels the more the association does, the more people appreciate it, and want to get involved. Jerry feels great because the neighbors feel better about the neighborhood. Jerry reports there is hope for the community – people had given up hope about community and now they notice changes. While there is still fear, now there is also hope. People in Medical Community are genuine; no one is competing or thinks they are better than anyone else.
With the support of Possibilities, Jerry says he is more confident, and knows how to be a leader. Jerry is trying to make his neighborhood the best that it can be. In fact, he has been nominated for Neighbor of the Year two years in a row and won last year, and Medical Community was nominated for Neighborhood of the Year last year at the Good Neighbors Awards Banquet. Jerry learned from his family that a person should give rather than receive. Jerry lives that legacy by giving to his community, and encouraging others to do the same.
