NATCHEZ — Raising an energetic mix of children takes a collective effort, but everyone pitches in at the Cedar Hurst Homes.

As The Dart landed on Perrault Street in Natchez, 8-year-old Jeremiah Williams was riding his bicycle down the street and back into Cedar Hurst Homes.

Williams just finished his homework and was playing with his fellow neighborhood kids, who ranged from 3 to 8 and attend either McLaurin Elementary or West Elementary schools.

Outside of her door, Josephine Dickey, who turns 79 next month, sat outside on the porch and watched the children play.

“That’s like my grandchildren,” said Dickey, who grew up in Natchez and has lived in the Cedar Hurst Homes for the last 42 years.

Williams continued to ride his bike, while Tyrin Letcher, Jacori Williams and Nacarri Letcher played a game of chase. After finishing up their homework, the lively bunch went to the playground behind their houses and played “supermen,” basketball, football and chased each other all the way back home. Back in front of their houses, the group of friends continued their game of chase as Tyrin and Nacarri’s mother, Michelle Letcher, walked outside of her house, pushing baby Tyrah Letcher in a stroller.

Michelle said Cedar Hurst Homes is a tight-knit community where she’s grown to trust her kids playing outside with the people she knows watching them.

Before taking Tyrah for a stroll, Michelle waved to Dickey.

“That’s my grandma there,” Michelle said. “She’s everybody’s grandma. She’s the neighborhood grandma.”

Meanwhile, Tyrin ran up to his neighbor Tonya Robinson for a big hug and walked with her toward his mother.

“This is my girlfriend,” said Tyron, clinging to a neighbor that was more than 10 years older than him.

Michelle couldn’t help but laugh.

As Michelle was leaving, another resident pulled up, her neighbor Tiovanni Logan.

Michelle said one thing her neighbors try to do is hold each other accountable, and that’s not excluding the younger residents.

“Tyrin will come wake me up every morning, knocking on the door, saying, “Why are you not at school?” said Logan, who attends Natchez High School.

Cedar Hurst Home is a place where, for the most part, everyone knows one another, and with all the young children running around playing, the parents have grown to have one another’s backs.

“Get off the street,” Michelle yelled at a group of children as she walked down Perrault with Tyrah.