What is the Lakeview Civic Association doing for the kids?

Lakeview residents needed an organization they could bring their concerns to; that would foster their relationships with their neighbors; that would prioritize their quality of life and a sense of community pride. In the midst of Covid, seven community members stepped up to fill that need, and the Lakeview Civic Association was born.

“Our goal is to unite the community through service and community-based events while working with other organizations,” cofounder Lisa Ortiz said. “And at the same time, keep residents informed of what’s going on, and how it could impact their lives.”

The Lakeview Civic Association is the rebirth of the Lakeview Council, which fizzled out several years ago. Now the organization is a highly active community staple. They’ve hosted a family kickball event to honor Lakeview men who are role models; they partner with other organizations in Lakeview to put together a community Christmas tree lighting; they host Black history events; and they host a twice-annual community cleanup.

The community cleanup is particularly impactful for participants. It’s about more than cleaning up, Ortiz said — it’s about bringing people together to take pride in their community.

“Especially for the young children,” she added. “The children are mindful, and they’re able to appreciate the work that they put into the community.”

“It brings together Town of Hempstead and county representatives, Nassau County police, local elected officials, and Lakeview residents who pay taxes for a cleaner day-to-day living space,” cofounder William Anders said.

“Engaging in community service proactively allows us to collaborate with Lakeview residents, fostering connections and mutual appreciation through our shared dedication to our Lakeview community,” he added.

LCA is focusing on the bond between Lakeview neighbors by collaborating with other local organizations like the library, the NAACP and local churches. They hope to unite the community through opportunities for service.

“This will enable us to reinvest in the Lakeview neighborhood, fostering its growth and ensuring that we can all prosper and continually learn from each other,” Anders said. “We are a close-knit community that will keep evolving collectively, whether you’ve been a resident here for a long time or have just moved to Lakeview.”

One of the biggest priorities of the LCA is to set an example for their children, Ortiz said. Community is something that is learned and built. To ensure that Lakeview continues to thrive in future generations, kids need to see exactly what goes into fostering a fun, safe, and loving community. The Lakeview Civic Association takes that responsibility seriously.

“It’s easy to walk out your house and only concern yourself with what’s around you,” Ortiz said. “We want to instill in this next generation that this should be equally important to them, because that’s how we’re going to continue to thrive.”

“We have to look out for each other, and also at the same time maintain that quality of life that we desire for Lakeview.

Those interested in learning more about the LCA or attending an upcoming event can visit “Lakeview Civic Association” on Facebook.