Block Party 101 — Building Community One Block at a Time

Curious about organizing a neighborhood block party? Join Vanessa Elias, founder of Block Party USA, a national movement dedicated to strengthening communities by helping neighbors connect through block parties – microlocal neighborhood gatherings. Block Party 101 is a low-stress introduction to planning a simple and joyful neighborhood gathering. Learn the why and the how-to with all the essential steps — and discover how just one block party starts the block party “ripple effect,” strengthening connections, fostering belonging and creating “the village” that we all need. Specific to families, it provides opportunities for much-needed neighborhood free play for kids, jobs for tweens and teens, and a network of support — right outside your front door.

Whether it’s your first event or looking for fresh ideas, you’ll leave with practical tips, resources and the confidence to bring your neighbors together. Whether you’re in a house, an apartment, rent, own, live alone, a busy parent or a retiree — this one’s for you.

During this presentation, attendees will learn:

• Why social connection is essential for healthy families and communities
• The surprising impact of block parties on safety, resilience, belonging and civic engagement
• Practical how-to steps and guidance for organizing successful neighborhood gatherings
• How local residents can participate in Block Party USA’s American Summer Campaign, in celebration of America’s 250th

Elias is a human connection and mental health activist, as well as certified parent coach featured in the Wall Street Journal, NPR, PBS and in the New York Times best-seller Never Enough. She serves as a parent support group facilitator for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). She founded Block Party USA as a free, simple, and actionable cure for our country’s loneliness, social isolation, divisiveness and the youth mental health crisis. Block Party USA is featured as a resource by the U.S. Surgeon General to build social connection and by The Anxious Generation to restore the play-based childhood. 

Registration required. Walk-ins welcome as space allows.