11th CAN Cohort Wraps Up
Somehow, another twelve weeks have gone by, and just like that, another cohort has graduated. Our eleventh CAN cohort held its final gathering on Thursday, June 26, to present their asset maps and discuss the neighborhood gatherings they had hosted over the past few weeks. This group has invested a significant amount of time and effort in building relationships within their neighborhoods over the past three months.
Here are some of the highlights from our Animators:
After attending a city meeting, Lizette was nominated to join the Truman Plaza Plan Advisory Committee.
Carl hosted not just one, but two gatherings in his neighborhood and plans to gather neighbors every two to three months. He also introduced two neighbors who had lived in the same area for over twenty years but had never met!
Masara revived the spirit of community among neighbors who had previously gathered regularly but had drifted apart over the past couple of years.
LeDarious found a way to contribute to the neighborhood economy by supporting a neighbor who owns a lawn care business.
Carmen organized a 'pop in for a popsicle' event in our own South Central neighborhood.
Charles found a continual way to give care to an elderly neighbor by assisting with her trash each week.
Isobeau started a community garden, offering a space for connection among the older residents in her neighborhood.
El gifted seeds to her neighbors and hosted a plant swap in her new neighborhood after moving in at the start of the program.
Kim reconnected with a childhood friend, Tony, who lives just down the street from her home.
Citlaly has been mobilizing her neighbors and working with the city to get sidewalks installed for children walking home from school.
All in all, this cohort has been quite busy over the past three months, and I am incredibly proud and grateful to have had the chance to mentor them through this program. If you happen to see one of them, please congratulate them on a job well done. The end of each cohort is always bittersweet. Still, I look forward to cheering them on as they continue to positively impact their neighborhoods and communities through the relationships they've built and the assets they've discovered.
Congratulations on jumpstarting your journey into asset-based community development and neighboring!
