Spring 2024 CANimator Graduates!
A huge shout out to our Spring 2024 Cohort Graduates!!
Easily the best part of my job are the humans that I get to meet, connect with, learn from, and grow alongside. The beauty of the Community Animator Network is that it consists of incredible people who have taken the time to build relationships within their immediate neighborhoods and communities, enabling folks to focus on local abundance. Over the past twelve weeks, the folks in the Spring 2024 cohort did amazing work as local community builders. Here are but a few of the highlights from the work each animator accomplished!
Emily reconnected her disconnected neighbors and gathered them together to reestablish relationships and swap their favorite recipes.
Marixendra discovered that new neighbors were struggling with finding childcare and was able to offer assistance through family connections.
Felicita built relationships with neighbors and hosted a local scavenger hunt. Together they are now hosting a Fourth of July neighborhood gathering!
Karis established relationships with local community members who attend city council meetings and encouraged older neighbors to share their gifts of wisdom.
Jasper formed community connections at the local library and connected with neighbors over their passion for animals.
Nalah found a neighborhood ally in Miss Patty and together they hosted a gathering that resulted in a group Facebook page for the neighbors to easily keep in touch!
One of the major themes that kept reappearing through these past three months was that neighboring does not have to be grand gestures and instant connection; neighboring can be smaller, consistent, intentional actions that allow us to establish trust and build relationships within our neighborhoods and communities. Everyone has something to offer to their neighborhood; it’s only a matter of creating intentional relationships with others which enables the discovery of those gifts, the ability to form deeper connections, and the mobilization of our neighborhoods and communities around a common purpose. I have been so honored to mentor Emily, Marixendra, Felicita, Karis, Jasper, and Nalah, and I cannot wait to see how they continue to be active in their communities!
We are accepting applications for the Fall Community Animator Learning Cohort. If you’re ready to activate your community, get connected to your neighbors, and discover their assets start your application now.
