Strengthening the Neighborhood Network

What is it they say about a meeting without food?…that it should be an email? Our most recent meet-up of the Neighborhood Leaders in City Council District 3 leaned into our belief that gathering with joy and fun, especially with food around a table, is one of the best ways to build connection with others. On Tuesday, February 17th, 13 of us met at OCC Brewing in Old Colorado City for an informal social hour.

We ate and drank and in smaller groups, answered the questions “What do you love about your neighborhood, and what are you working on?” These prompts led to storytelling and resource sharing. Before our time was up, leaders from different neighborhoods were exchanging phone numbers and inviting each other to their summer activities. It was a night of strengthening our Neighborhood Network, that social infrastructure that connects doers across the city. Leaders were encouraged to bring a friend, someone else who might be interested in sharing their talents and inspiring others.

Are you active in your neighborhood? Do you care about your neighbors, or are you interested in what’s happening in your area? Do you lead where you live? We want to know about you, support you in your efforts, and help connect you to others in the city doing the same kind of work! Any level of involvement counts, from shoveling a neighbor’s sidewalk to leading the neighborhood association; anyone participating in the movement to neighbor well can register as a Neighborhood Leader here. Hey Neighbor’s goal for 2026 is to build our network up to include leaders from every neighborhood in Colorado Springs!