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egardless of whether you are celebrating or frustrated with the results of the election, it is clear that people want our leaders to work together to get things done.  But working together with our citizens is already showing results in cities across the country, where well-organized volunteerism is making a difference.

In fact, cities are a model for what is possible.  Mayors, non-profits and citizens are combining to make a real and measurable impact for their communities. Just a few examples:

Albuquerque, New Mexico: Through Mayor Berry’s “Homework Diner” initiative, Albuquerque has provided hundreds of students with access to homework assistance, one-on-one time with educators, and healthy meals cooked by volunteers from the local community college’s culinary school. The program also provides parents with an opportunity to acquire their GED. The schools reported an increase in academic performance, and the success of Homework Diner in two pilot schools has prompted city officials to open six more Homework Diner locations.

Birmingham, Alabama: In one year, Mayor Bell mobilized thousands of citizen volunteers to clean more than 26,000 square feet of graffiti, dispose of more than 70,000 pounds of trash, and plant 500 trees. Neighborhood revitalization can start small and scale: Birmingham has already revitalized 40 blocks.

Flint, Michigan: Mayor Walling engaged volunteers to get rid of 1.8 million pounds of waste, clean-up 122 abandoned properties and create 57 green spaces.

Nashville, Tennessee: Through Mayor Dean’s “Change for Chestnut” initiative, volunteers provided energy-efficient upgrades in more than 100 homes of low-income residents in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood, reducing annual energy costs by an average of $450 per home.

Working together with organizations such the Corporation for National and Community Service and AmeriCorps, HandsOn, local parks departments and other city agencies, mayors are engaging and empowering their citizens to make real change in their own communities. Mayors are also working together  to learn from one another by sharing lessons learned.

When it comes to bringing about change that touches people’s lives, members of the newly-elected Congress need look no further than their own cities. Leaders using their power to bring people together is the best way to make our entire country a safer, cleaner, stronger place to live.

This post originally appeared on the National League of Cities blog.