This is a digital download. You will receive single-page and spreads version PDFs of the following booklet (A printed version will be available separately later in October):

By Marc Fischer
Public Collectors, Chicago, IL, 2026
Pages: 12
Dimensions: 5.5 in x 8.5 in
Cover: Paper
Binding: n/a
Process: Digital
Color: Color throughout
Edition size: digital/open
ISBN: none

People on Your Block is a self-assessment guide to help you gauge your awareness of your neighbors and how deeply connected you are to the people that live on your block. It’s intended for private personal use. 

I’ve lived in the same house in Chicago with my wife Jen for 14 years. For about half of these years, I did not know many of my neighbors. Some events changed this. A development was proposed next to our property, and we felt it would be detrimental to the block. We went door to door to get signatures to oppose it. We met many neighbors, and we defeated a terrible project. We also worked with a neighbor to collect signatures to get speed humps for our street. We collected enough signatures because we knew a lot of neighbors. Three years later the city still hasn’t given us speed humps, but at least we still know all those neighbors. Six years ago we adopted a small, cute dog that we walk. He helps us meet our neighbors. I know the names of over 35 nearby dogs and about 60 people on my block. Finally, I became one of the moderators in a private social media group for our neighborhood. It has over 11,000 members. Some of them live on our block. 

What would it mean to know every neighbor’s name? I talk to neighbors, but I don’t know everyone. Many people do not know their neighbors but would like to. This publication contemplates what a more detailed ‘knowing’ might be. I want to consider more ways our neighbors could be an immediate resource—particularly should a crisis occur, and as an alternative to depending on police or government agencies to solve problems that we may be able to solve with others through shared labor, mutual aid, understanding and kindness. I’ve seen unlikely friendships develop on my block, and have experienced them myself. I’ve never felt as deeply connected to a place as I do now. I have answers for most of the questions in this booklet. 

My wife and I may stay in our house for the rest of our lives, so it feels important to be invested in the wellbeing of not just a couple neighbors we are close to, but the dozens of neighbors who may need us as we may need them. I have been inspired by my in-laws Marge and Jim. They moved out of their house and into a large condo building. Unlike me, they are extroverted people. They met dozens of neighbors in their building and started groups: a meditation group, a reading group, a ladies dinner group and a memoir writing group. They connect other neighbors to each other. They created a social infrastructure that has not only been emotionally rewarding, but directly supportive during periods of illness and physical challenges, and the lockdown days of Covid. If my wife and I stay where we are, I’d like to follow their model of aging in place, on our block and in our house, among neighbors.

— Marc Fischer / Public Collectors