Neighborhood Services

Creating connected neighborhoods

"...every place has people who love it. Find them. Bring them together, ask them for their help. Find what is lovable about your place and make it better." (Kageyama 2011, pp.215)

Connected neighborhoods benefit the health and safety of their residents. The Neighborhood Connections program works to bring neighbors together within and across neighborhoods, building stronger connections while helping them better understand what City programs exist to support them and how to access them.

Participants will gain a better understanding of who their neighbors are and what their neighbors' priorities and strengths are. They will learn how to have productive, healthy conflict and how to build relationships with neighbors who have different view points and come from different backgrounds. This is a program to build connectors who recognize the power of many voices working together.

How do I start?

If you're interested in joining Neighborhood Connections, the first step is to join a core education class. These are 12 (no cost) instruction hours held at 3 times over the year. Pick one that works for you! All classes offer free interpretation services upon request and spring classes will offer daycare upon request.

Each core class series will be held at a different location around Fort Collins. Note locations may change due to registration numbers.

• Fall: Weekly classes every Monday evening for 6 weeks from 6-8pm. Beginning Monday Oct 2 ending Monday November 6th. Classes will be held at Dunn IB World School, 501 S Washington Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80521, in the Media Center
• Winter: 2 full day classes held on Saturday, January 27th and Saturday, February 3rd from 8:30am- 3pm with a 1/2 hour lunch break. Classes will be held at the Harmony Library, 4616 S Shields St, Fort Collins, CO 80526, in the Community Room
• Spring: Weekly classes every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon for 6 weeks from 12-1pm. Beginning Tuesday April 3rd ending Thursday May 10th. Classes will be held at 281 North College Ave, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, in Conference Room A-D

Are there different times that work better for you? Please let us know your recommendations! Schedules for upcoming years are flexible!

Participants can still graduate the program if they miss up to 2 hours of training if they complete online work to compensate.

If you need translation services for the application, please contact Katherine Bailey at a2JhaWxleUBmY2dvdi5jb20=

Want to know the topics covered? We'll talk about 6 main subjects:

1. The Basics of Neighboring
2. Mindful neighboring
3. Healthy, productive dialogues across cultural differences
4. Communication tools and grants
5. The art of communication: The path to action
6. Neighborhood events/gatherings and overview

There will be homework assignments! Some can be done before the classes begin (meeting all your immediate neighbors, etc.), and each participant will be expected to host a neighborhood gathering. Find a complete syllabus online in the coming month!

What next?

Core classes are only the start of the program! Once participants have finished the 12 hour core program, they will have access to monthly continuing education classes. To be considered a part of the ongoing program, participants must attend at least 4 continuing education classes each year. Look ahead to see what topics interest you, and feel free to come to as many as you like once you've graduated the core classes. All classes are free of charge!

Note only the January and February classes are open to the general public; the rest are for those who have graduated the core education class.

Class Calendar - keep checking back for updates about class specifics!

Note this calendar is subject to change.

• January: Open House! Meet the City staffers that will be a part of later presentations and other community specialists. This meeting is open to the public.
• February: Development review. This meeting is also open to the public.
• March: BFO and how to get involved.
• April: Housing: Affordability and Equality.
• May: Dialogue across cultural differences 2.0.
• June: A look at City services: FCMoves, Transfort, and Natural Areas.
• July: Adopt-a-__________ Programs.
• August: No class! Happy Summer!
• September: The benefits of living in a university town.
• October: Maintaining resident interest in neighborhood groups.
• November: A look at City services: Social Sustainability, Recycling, and Utilities.
• December: Neighbors sharing their stories.

Want to know about the history of the program?

Follow links below to see how we got here with Neighborhood Connections, including research about other communities around the country and their take on this program!

• Neighborhood Engagement_meeting1 October 10 2015
• Pilot Survey Results
• Infographic for timeline
• Neighborhood Representatives meeting 9/19/16
• Community Advisory Group Meeting Presentation 10/13/15
• Presentation 11/15/14

Models from Other Communities

• Portland Engaging for Equity
• Los Angeles, California Department of Neighborhood Empowerment
• Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods Inc. Denver, Colorado
• Sustainable Neighborhoods Lakewood Colorado
• Longmont Colorado Neighborhood Group Leaders
• City of Madison
• City of Ames

Who is already involved in Neighborhood Connections?

Click here to see a map of what neighborhoods have residents who have been through the program! Remember, just because someone in your neighborhood has been through the program is no reason for you to not join!