The Ripple Effect in K-Land: One Meeting, Many Waves of Change

What started as a simple Neighborhood Café at John Adams Elementary back in March sparked a powerful wave of action in the K-Land community. Neighbors, school staff, and community leaders gathered with no formal agenda; just coffee, conversation, and a shared desire to connect. What unfolded that day was the start of a ripple effect that’s still moving through the neighborhood.

The Café brought together twenty people, including residents, leaders from the K-Land Neighborhood Association, staff from District 11, and a Hey Neighbor representative. Stories were shared, concerns were voiced, and ideas began to take root. The biggest themes were sidewalk safety, neighborhood clean-up, support for John Adams students, and ways to deepen connection across K-Land.

Lelia Gibson-Green, Hey Neighbor’s Community Coordinator and founder of Colorado Springs Walkability, introduced the idea of a walking audit to evaluate sidewalk conditions. Coach T, president of the K-Land Neighborhood Association, immediately followed up to schedule one. Just four days later, seven neighbors met to walk three key streets and assess walkability. Among them was Alvin, a longtime resident with professional experience in transportation. He brought printed maps, his own research, and a depth of knowledge that elevated the audit. Lelia provided guidance, and the team photographed hazards like crumbling sidewalks, missing segments, and sections too unsafe for pedestrians. The findings will be compiled and shared with the city, giving real data to support the community’s call for more urgent repairs than the currently scheduled 2027 project.

Robbie, a resident and active parent, joined the audit with his young daughter in a stroller. As they navigated broken sidewalks and were sometimes forced into the street, the urgency of the issue became undeniable. Robbie later returned to help with the neighborhood clean-up, showing his ongoing commitment to both safety and community pride.

The clean-up effort came next. Inspired by the Café conversation, Candice Craft, a resident and a registered Neighborhood Leader with Hey Neighbor, volunteered to lead. With enthusiasm and experience from past clean-up projects, she quickly got to work. She created a flyer, organized supplies, and rallied volunteers through a new “Rapid Response Team” contact list formed during the Café. She even brought her aunt to help. “It is great to find your people and plug into momentum and energy in motion,” she said.

Ten residents participated in the first K-Land clean-up, including Coach T, Belinda (K-Land Neighborhood Association vice president), and Catherine, the school’s assistant principal. The team focused on the areas around John Adams Elementary. This wasn’t just about picking up trash; it was a visible sign of care and connection. One school janitor had even asked for help with the grounds. Seeing community members step up in response strengthened the bond between the neighborhood and the school.

Young people were a key part of the day too. Thomas brought his son, who eagerly helped his father clean up the surrounding area. Their presence was a reminder that children are watching and learning from the way adults show up for their community. These moments, small in action but big in impact, are what the ripple effect is all about.

K-Land is already planning its next clean-up, focused on the neighborhood park. The walking audit report is in progress. Residents are excited, motivated, and ready for more. What started with one meeting at a school has become a growing movement powered by neighbors who believe in the future of their community.

Change doesn’t have to start big to be meaningful. Sometimes it begins with a cup of coffee and a conversation, and spreads from there.