I was stunned to learn from Windsor Green resident Lisa Cook that one in four people live alone in the US… and that one in four say they haven't had a meaningful conversation with someone in the past six months. This social isolation can impact everything from mental and physical health to job prospects. In the words of Mother Teresa, "loneliness is the most terrible poverty".
Lisa experienced this lack of a social network first hand when she relocated back to the Twin Cities a number of years ago and it inspired her to start Plan B Connections. After spending several lonely years in an apartment while struggling to build personal connections, she bought a townhome in Windsor Green and was delightfully surprised to find herself in a wonderfully welcoming community.
Instead of the superficial connections she had made through meet-up groups and volunteering , she found real community in Windsor Green… starting with a potluck gathering the neighbors put together to welcome her.
Following her initial struggle to make social connections and her positive experience after buying in Windsor Green she made a conscious effort to find ways to help even more people get connected and support each other, especially women living alone.
That led to her forming a 'Resilience Circle' at Windsor Green last fall. Designed to provide mutual aid and support through neighbors helping neighbors, some of this group's connections so far include mothers taking their kids to an indoor playground, help with home maintenance and babysitting, and collecting items to donate to a local nonprofit. As of March 2012 their next project was to cook dinner for homeless teens at an emergency shelter.
Loneliness often occurs when life takes an unexpected turn… loss of a job or difficulty finding that first job after finishing school, moving to a new place, relationship changes such as separation from a long-time roommate or partner, divorce, death of a spouse or other close friend or family member.
The community at Windsor Green is one which fosters connections… the supportive kind that can make you smile and think of a Norman Rockwell painting. I think the residents who live there tell the story best… I have encountered families where multiple generations have lived in the complex, at the same time. With five different models in various sizes and designs on 34 park-like acres with 2 swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, playgrounds and miles of walking paths, it is possible to fit the needs of singles, couples and families of all ages.
Open houses frequently bring residents thinking about moving to another unit for various reasons… but wanting to stay in Windsor Green! In Lisa's own words, "I never really felt Minnesota was home til I landed at Windsor Green – now I couldn't be happier! "
Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results – Email – Windsor Green Realtor
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