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X-WR-CALNAME:Foundation for Social Connection
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.social-connection.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Foundation for Social Connection
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260427T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260427T133000
DTSTAMP:20260505T093649
CREATED:20260320T180618Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260320T180618Z
UID:5228-1777293000-1777296600@www.social-connection.org
SUMMARY:Eisner Prize Fellows Showcase and Info Session
DESCRIPTION:The Eisner Prize Fellowship incubates new leaders and ideas bringing people of all ages together to reduce social isolation and foster connection across generations. This session will showcase the impressive intergenerational projects of the 2025/26 cohort as their Fellowship comes to a close\, followed by a short info session for prospective applicants for the 2026/27 cycle.
URL:https://www.social-connection.org/event/eisner-prize-fellows-showcase-and-info-session/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Aging,Civic Engagement,Community,Older Adults,Religion and Spirituality
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260326T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260326T180000
DTSTAMP:20260505T093649
CREATED:20260320T181031Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260320T192633Z
UID:5231-1774544400-1774548000@www.social-connection.org
SUMMARY:A New Roadmap: Structural Investments to Build Social Capital and Improve Economic Mobility
DESCRIPTION:This keynote will be delivered as the 2026 Social Capital Conference\, hosted by the International Social Capital Association. \nSpeakers: Frances Kraft\, PhD\, Research and Practice Program Director\, Foundation for Social Connection; Shamichael Hallman\, Director of Civic Health and Economic Opportunity\, Urban Libraries Council \nIn recent decades\, economic mobility has declined across the U.S.\, driven in part by the loss of third places and shrinking opportunities to form “bridging” relationships and build social capital. There is hope in reversing this trend through an approach that fosters a culture of connection and invests in strategies that strengthen trust and belonging. Local government leaders have a key role to play – but their efforts must be guided by the spaces\, stories\, projects\, relationships\, and organizing practices already activated within their communities. In this presentation\, the Foundation for Social Connection (F4SC) will introduce its comprehensive framework as a guide for local leaders to consider the power of social connection as they make investment decisions to advance economic mobility. The framework calls on leaders to invest in infrastructure that empowers community voice\, strengthens partnerships across sectors\, builds social infrastructure\, and aligns equitable policies. \nDrawing on insights from six community site visits conducted during the framework’s development\, as well as their own work in Chicago and Memphis\, they will share practical strategies for activating social and civic networks\, enhancing resident agency\, and embedding trust and belonging into local practice and policy. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how to measure and strengthen community social capital — building more connected\, resilient communities that drive economic mobility. \nFrances Kraft\nFrances Kraft is an experienced educator\, community organizer\, and restorative practitioner working to catalyze trusted connections that lead to collective action and systemic change. In her current role as Director of Research and Practice at the Foundation for Social Connection\, she authored The Roadmap: Reimagining Infrastructure to Improve Social Capital. The report explores the role third places can play in building trust\, belonging\, and mutual responsibility to mobilize resources and work collectively for equitable policies. Prior to this role\, she led engagement at Weave: The Social Fabric Project at The Aspen Institute. Frances spent a decade working in education outside Chicago\, first as a classroom teacher and later as the founder of a non-profit coalition of families\, students\, and teachers working for equitable access\, experiences\, and outcomes for children. She earned a master’s degree in education policy at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education in 2016 and a doctorate in leadership at the University of Pennsylvania in 2025. She is currently working on a book based on her dissertation titled Building Civic Empathy Through Relational Dialogue: A Transformative Space for Change. \nShamichael Hallman\nShamichael Hallman is an internationally recognized civic innovator\, author\, and thought leader dedicated to strengthening communities through libraries\, public engagement\, and faith-based initiatives. As Senior Director of Civic Health and Economic Opportunity at the Urban Libraries Council\, he advocates for public libraries as vital civic infrastructure. His book\, Meet Me at the Library\, explores how libraries foster democracy and bridge-building. A sought-after speaker\, Shamichael has presented at top universities and library associations. Previously\, Shamichael championed the multi-million-dollar renovation of the historic Cossitt Library in Memphis\, contributing to Memphis Public Libraries earning the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Science. He was a 2025 Next City Vanguard Fellow\, a 2023 Loeb Fellow at the Harvard Graduate School of Design\, and has a Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.
URL:https://www.social-connection.org/event/a-new-roadmap-structural-investments-to-build-social-capital-and-improve-economic-mobility/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Community,Economy
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260317T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260317T235000
DTSTAMP:20260505T093649
CREATED:20260305T151804Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260305T164420Z
UID:5175-1773745200-1773791400@www.social-connection.org
SUMMARY:Virtual Belonging Cafe
DESCRIPTION:Make a warm cup at home and log into the virtual meeting space! \nJenna Wilmer will start the event by spending about 15 minutes discussing the concepts of belonging and a “Virtual Belonging Cafe\,” then share a personal story of belonging. For the rest of the time\, all others who attend are welcome to share belonging stories and perspectives on a few related questions. \nThis is a free event. Register at the provided link. Those who sign up will receive confirmation and the Google Meet link to join within a couple of days of the event. \nMarch 17th\n11:00 AM ET – 11:50 AM ET \nPlease email Jenna Wilmer (jennawilmer25@gmail.com) if you have any questions.
URL:https://www.social-connection.org/event/rooted-place-consulting/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Civic Engagement,Community
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-connection.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-05-at-10.17.06-AM.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Rooted Place Consulting":MAILTO:jennawilmer25@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260218T053000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260218T183000
DTSTAMP:20260505T093649
CREATED:20260123T142927Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260123T142927Z
UID:5112-1771392600-1771439400@www.social-connection.org
SUMMARY:Two Years of Togetherness: our journey\, the learnings and what's ahead
DESCRIPTION:Overview\n\n\n\n\n\nAn online celebration welcoming anyone interested in loneliness\, social cohesion and systems change\n\n\n\nNow\, more than ever\, we need community\, togetherness\, solidarity and hope. Our team has spent two years learning how to build connections within and between communities\, through Steps to Togetherness – a national grassroots-led civil society movement\, which we believe can now be scaled to shape the future for the better. Join us for a joyful and inspiring online session to absorb the many learnings from our evaluation (soon to be published) and be part of our plans for the future. \nThe Steps to Togetherness story will be told through the voices of some of our treasured partners from a range of localities in a podcast-style discussion. We’ll be facilitated by the one and only Dee Brecker. After the main discussion\, you’ll be welcome to stay on the call and join an open conversation with the other brilliant and inspiring change-makers who will be on the call. \n\n\n\n\nWhat is Steps to Togetherness?\nSteps to Togetherness is all about building connections within and between communities. We believe the most salient issues facing the UK all have a shared root cause: a lack of connection and community. In a nutshell\, the UK over the years has been primed to be a highly individualistic society underpinned by systems shaped by a colonial mindset. These systems inherently create widespread disconnection\, and therefore loneliness. Loneliness is terrible for our health and wellbeing. What is more\, widespread loneliness provides the perfect conditions for divisive narratives to thrive\, because loneliness makes us paranoid\, angry and resentful. When we are divided\, it becomes very difficult to bring about positive systems change\, so it’s a vicious cycle. \nSteps to Togetherness offers a vision for widespread behaviour change. We can all do our bit to help intercept this vicious cycle by connecting more in our neighbourhoods\, workplaces and communities. 32 Steps to Togetherness is a resource of ideas for practical actions we can all take. \nOver the last two years\, thanks to the National Lottery (Bringing People Together grant stream)\, we have brought together and supported a range of partners who share this vision. With them\, we have co-produced and delivered a wide range of programmes and initiatives \nWhen we look at symptoms\, problems can seem unrelated. When we look at their shared root causes\, suddenly it becomes clear how they are all interlinked. Steps to Togetherness helps foster solidarity among different sectors and movements working on a wide range of (seemingly unrelated) social justice issues. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhere we’re at\nAfter two years of Togetherness\, the movement is raring to go and ready to be scaled! The overwhelming excitement and engagement with Steps to Togetherness has led to a movement that far outstripped our original goals. Our evaluation concludes that this success is testament to the conceptual framework\, partnership model and our approach – and how well-positioned we are to facilitate it. We’ve worked with a huge range of partners. We’ve developed a suite of tools – workshops\, talks\, materials\, training\, free capacity-building support – which we can readily tailor to different contexts. With an abundance of success stories and rich learnings\, we’re confident we have the tools to successfully foster togetherness at scale. (Shoot us an email if you’re interested to see our DRAFT strategy for 2026-2029). Steps to Togetherness has never felt more needed\, and we have never felt more ready. \nUnfortunately\, our current funding situation doesn’t quite match up. We have been thrilled to have been funded by a grant from the National Lottery for the last two years. Having come to the end of that grant period\, we’ve been forced into an extended period of reflection whilst we wait to secure funds. We’ve been evaluating and strategising. So long as socially divisive and extremist racist views are being mainstreamed\, we’ll remain determined to keep going. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhy we’re putting on this event\nThe Togetherness movement is living on in a few ways – thanks to ad-hoc support from different partners and through our wonderful network of grassroots civil society organisations (see Storytelling for Togetherness). But until we secure a significant grant\, it feels like having our wings clipped at a time when Togetherness\, solidarity and hope have never been more needed. \nWe really hope this short but powerful online session will help to strengthen our position to secure new funding so that we can re-energise and further scale our social cohesion and community-bridge building work nationally. \nRegardless of whether we get more funding to continue the Togetherness movement as we know it\, we want to share everything we have learned! We have traversed the country and worked with some incredible partners in different places and on different themes. We’ve had a blast\, and learnt so much about how to work well and efficiently\, led by what communities know is needed and the strengths they and our treasured partners have. We’ve got inspiring stories\, insights from a wide range of people and communities and tips\, tricks and do’s and don’ts. \nWe also have oodles of further ideas for continuing\, deepening and expanding the movement. We hope by listening to our story\, you’ll spot opportunities for us to support and work with and alongside you. \n\n\n\n\nWhy you should come\nIf you have been part of Steps to Togetherness\, this is an opportunity to celebrate\, understand the wider movement that you have been part of\, and support us as we dream big about continuation and scaling. \nIf you’re working on similar themes (such as loneliness\, social cohesion and/or systems change) – sometimes we may be tempted to see each other as competitors. We invite you to put that to one side and come learn from our mistakes! The the joys that lifted us\, the struggles that tested us\, and the surprises that shaped the movement. Take inspiration! Steal our ideas! (But please remember to thank and credit us if you do!) We hope that when you come to the event\, you may spot opportunities for us to work together in partnership\, which we can then discuss. \nYou may have heard about Steps to Togetherness\, but not known exactly what it is. You may have not heard of it at all\, but be interested in the concept. If so\, this is an opportunity to learn a lot very quickly in an easy-listening event. \nIf this is the type of work you might want to fund – we invite you\, with no pressure or expectations\, to pop along. We might be what you’re looking for. Either way\, listening to this conversation will help you build clarity and gain valuable insight and knowledge. \nIn other words – there’s something for everyone and the more the merrier. Please do come and show your support. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat to expect\nThis event is designed to be joyful and inspiring for all. \n\nWe’ll celebrate through storytelling\nYou’ll learn from our experiences\, gain practical tips\nWe hope for a strong spirit of camaraderie as we explore the potential of working together\n\nThe podcast style discussion will be structured yet conversational\, lasting about 1hr. Anyone wanting to talk more will be welcome to stay on the call for longer. It’ll be a warm\, relaxed and inclusive atmosphere from start to finish\, but more interactive during that second half. We’ll likely kick things off with a poem!
URL:https://www.social-connection.org/event/two-years-of-togetherness-our-journey-the-learnings-and-whats-ahead/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Community
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.social-connection.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/https-cdn.evbuc_.com-images-1175233015-22845627740-1-original.20260119-124308.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251028
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251031
DTSTAMP:20260505T093649
CREATED:20250430T193625Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250515T140610Z
UID:4406-1761609600-1761868799@www.social-connection.org
SUMMARY:Social Connection Conference - Seeds of Connection
DESCRIPTION:Big ideas don’t grow in isolation – they flourish through collaboration. The Foundation for Social Connection and Healthy Places by Design invite you to their 2025 Social Connection Conference – Seeds of Connection – taking place October 28-30th in Atlanta\, Georgia. \nUnder this year’s theme\, we will explore how intentional relationship-building across sectors of society can transform communities and systems at every level. Featuring inspiring keynotes\, dynamic panel sessions\, meaningful moments of connection\, and immersive community experiences\, this event is designed to unite disciplines\, spark new partnerships\, and equip attendees with the relationships and tools needed to drive lasting change. \nJoin us as we bring together researchers\, social innovators\, and leaders from the corporate\, nonprofit\, government\, faith\, and civic sectors to exchange insights\, co-create solutions\, and catalyze a movement to advance social connection across neighborhoods and the country. This work requires all of us. The relationships we nurture and ideas we cultivate over these three days will transform communities for years to come. \nRegister today here! Learn more here and subscribe here for conference updates.
URL:https://www.social-connection.org/event/social-connection-conference-seeds-of-connection/
LOCATION:Loudermilk Conference Center\, 40 Courtland St NE\, Atlanta\, GA\, 30303\, United States
CATEGORIES:Community
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-connection.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SCC-Email-Banner-5.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251022T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251022T193000
DTSTAMP:20260505T093649
CREATED:20250925T145124Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T145124Z
UID:4916-1761156000-1761161400@www.social-connection.org
SUMMARY:The Wisdom of the Hive
DESCRIPTION:In this three-part Reimagine series\, Michelle Cassandra Johnson and special guests explore themes from her newest book The Wisdom of the Hive (Sounds True\, 2025). By seeing honeybees as our teachers\, we can learn about our relationship with ourselves\, each other\, and the world at large. In times marked by grief\, chaos and uncertainty\, bees offer a powerful example of turning toward pain and fear\, committing to better conditions for all beings to survive\, and building a sweeter future where all can thrive. Featuring luminaries from the fields of wellness\, science\, spirituality\, and the arts\, this interdisciplinary series includes panel discussions\, sound and visual meditations\, and tools to foster a more collective mindset\, much like the bees\, which function as a superorganism\, not thinking of themselves as individual bees\, but rather as a unified collective. Each session opens and closes with a mindful moment and practice inspired by a buzzing beehive of activity. Together we will cultivate the values of interdependence\, strive for greater attunement to one another and the planet\, and see the liminal space between darkness and light as a resource for growth. To kick off the series\, Michelle Cassandra Johnson\, spiritual teacher\, grief tender\, and beekeeper\, will introduce her book and set the stage for our understanding of how a honeybee hive functions. In dialogue with author and spiritual teacher Lama Rod Owens\, Michelle will share both the practical and mystical components of a hive and relate these components to this time on our planet\, weaving in themes of grief\, love\, interdependence\, and the threshold we find ourselves upon now. The program also includes music by singer-songwriter Alexandra “ahlay” Blakely and an opportunity for Q&A with guest speakers.
URL:https://www.social-connection.org/event/the-wisdom-of-the-hive/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Community,Crisis and Distress,Environment,Religion and Spirituality
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-connection.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025.10_The-Wisdom-of-the-Hive_Web.png-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250909T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250909T153000
DTSTAMP:20260505T093649
CREATED:20250824T193143Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250824T193207Z
UID:4683-1757422800-1757431800@www.social-connection.org
SUMMARY:2025 National Summit to Increase Social Connections
DESCRIPTION:Join Commit to Connect for the 2025 National Summit to Increase Social Connections\, a two-day virtual event focused on this year’s theme: “Scaling and Replicating Effective Social Connection Programs.” \nThe event will bring together local\, state\, and national leaders from across sectors to grow the social connections of older adults and people with disabilities. Participants will gain insights into innovative programs\, promising practices\, and resources that promote social connection\, as well as strategies and mechanisms to grow\, replicate\, and scale social connection programs nationwide. \nRegistration is free but required. Visit the event page to view the full agenda. This event will include CART captioning and ASL interpretation. Contact info@committoconnect.org with any questions.
URL:https://www.social-connection.org/event/2025-national-summit-to-increase-social-connections/
CATEGORIES:Community
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-connection.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-24-at-3.31.21-PM.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250807T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250807T163000
DTSTAMP:20260505T093649
CREATED:20250516T043821Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250516T043821Z
UID:4428-1754578800-1754584200@www.social-connection.org
SUMMARY:Collaboration Lab™ Introductory Session
DESCRIPTION:Want to strengthen your knowledge and skills to achieve impactful community improvements? Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from our partners at Healthy Places by Design about a menu of options to help you! Collaboration Lab™ is a practice-tested approach that builds participants’ confidence and capacity in collective leadership\, cross-sector partnerships\, building trust\, and navigating power. The approach offers a balance of structured facilitation\, live problem-solving\, and an interactive and responsive space for deep learning and application. Sign up for one of the introductory sessions to learn more in a Power of Collaboration Introductory Session.
URL:https://www.social-connection.org/event/collaboration-lab-introductory-session-3/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Community
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250730T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250730T160000
DTSTAMP:20260505T093649
CREATED:20250605T165605Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250605T165618Z
UID:4481-1753887600-1753891200@www.social-connection.org
SUMMARY:Improving Community Safety through Social Connections
DESCRIPTION:Join Healthy Places by Design on July 30\, 3 pm ET for their next webinar on Improving Community Safety through Social Connections. Research shows that connected communities have lower rates of crime and violence. Greater connection also helps community members feel safer and be more likely to take collective action to prevent crime. Ruben Cantu\, Director of Safety and Wellbeing at Prevention Institute\, will share an overview of Prevention Institute’s Community Safety Realized Framework and describe evidence-based strategies for improving safety and connection in communities. Anna Guerrero\, Director of Development and Communications for Urban Family\, will share strategies they use to create safe and connected neighborhoods for communities of color in South Seattle. \nRegister for the webinar and be sure to hold time on your calendars to join the post-webinar discussion group on the same day from 4-5 pm ET where you can engage in deeper discussions with presenters and peers about the webinar topic. A link to join the discussion group will be provided during the webinar. \nRegister here.
URL:https://www.social-connection.org/event/improving-community-safety-through-social-connections/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Community
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-connection.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/45fc14aa-901e-41e3-ae54-6711ff233b6f.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250715T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250715T113000
DTSTAMP:20260505T093649
CREATED:20250516T043713Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250516T043713Z
UID:4427-1752573600-1752579000@www.social-connection.org
SUMMARY:Collaboration Lab™ Introductory Session
DESCRIPTION:Want to strengthen your knowledge and skills to achieve impactful community improvements? Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from our partners at Healthy Places by Design about a menu of options to help you! Collaboration Lab™ is a practice-tested approach that builds participants’ confidence and capacity in collective leadership\, cross-sector partnerships\, building trust\, and navigating power. The approach offers a balance of structured facilitation\, live problem-solving\, and an interactive and responsive space for deep learning and application. Sign up for one of the introductory sessions to learn more in a Power of Collaboration Introductory Session.
URL:https://www.social-connection.org/event/collaboration-lab-introductory-session-2/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Community
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250703T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250703T170000
DTSTAMP:20260505T093649
CREATED:20250703T145052Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250703T145052Z
UID:4498-1751529600-1751562000@www.social-connection.org
SUMMARY:Solving the Youth Wellbeing Challenge
DESCRIPTION:Rates of depression\, anxiety\, and loneliness are surging among young people\, as social connections weaken and mental health challenges intensify. \nIn response\, researchers and experts are sounding the alarm—calling for urgent\, comprehensive solutions to reverse these trends and support youth wellbeing. \nSemafor journalists will lead in-depth conversations exploring the complex drivers of this crisis\, highlighting opportunities to rebuild social ties\, foster resilience\, and develop lasting strategies to improve the mental health of young people. \nWatch the live event on demand on July 16th at 9 AM ET \nLearn more here.
URL:https://www.social-connection.org/event/solving-the-youth-wellbeing-challenge/
CATEGORIES:Community
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-connection.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-03-at-10.48.30 AM.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250626T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250626T203000
DTSTAMP:20260505T093649
CREATED:20250613T170650Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250613T170650Z
UID:4486-1750957200-1750969800@www.social-connection.org
SUMMARY:Social Connection Summit: The Invisible Third Pillar of Wellness
DESCRIPTION:Join us for Fabrik’s inaugural Social Connection Summit\, Thursday\, June 26th\n​We prioritize our physical health by going to the gym\, our mental health by meditating or seeing a therapist\, but what about our social health? \n​Social wellness is the third pillar in our wellness triangle\, often meaningfully influencing the others\, yet it remains largely invisible. Loneliness is the largest health crisis of our time—as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and costing our economy $460B annually. Despite the severity\, no one has identified a real solution. \n​We’re changing that by pioneering the social spaces industry and giving us all a reason to approach social connection with the same intentionality we bring to the gym. This isn’t just about addressing loneliness – it’s about designing a life where connection isn’t left to chance. \n​Ready to get back together IRL? Join us as we build the social health movement together at Fabrik\, a network of social spaces designed specifically for community\, connection\, and finding a sense of belonging. \n  \nClick to learn more and register.
URL:https://www.social-connection.org/event/social-connection-summit-the-invisible-third-pillar-of-wellness/
LOCATION:Fabrik DUMBO\, 20 Jay St Suite 218\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11201\, United States
CATEGORIES:Community
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250625T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250625T153000
DTSTAMP:20260505T093649
CREATED:20250516T043558Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250516T043558Z
UID:4426-1750860000-1750865400@www.social-connection.org
SUMMARY:Collaboration Lab™ Introductory Session
DESCRIPTION:Want to strengthen your knowledge and skills to achieve impactful community improvements? Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from our partners at Healthy Places by Design about a menu of options to help you! Collaboration Lab™ is a practice-tested approach that builds participants’ confidence and capacity in collective leadership\, cross-sector partnerships\, building trust\, and navigating power. The approach offers a balance of structured facilitation\, live problem-solving\, and an interactive and responsive space for deep learning and application. Sign up for one of the introductory sessions to learn more in a Power of Collaboration Introductory Session.
URL:https://www.social-connection.org/event/collaboration-lab-introductory-session/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Community
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250606T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250606T113000
DTSTAMP:20260505T093649
CREATED:20250529T174533Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250529T174533Z
UID:4466-1749204000-1749209400@www.social-connection.org
SUMMARY:Building cities and neighbourhoods for children and all ages
DESCRIPTION:The OECD report Cities for All Ages\, supported by the Ministry of Land\, Infrastructure\, Transport\, and Tourism of Japan\, aims to promote key policy actions to create more age-inclusive cities. The share of older people in OECD cities is rising fast\, while many large cities continue to grow and attract young people. Without age-inclusive policies\, cities face significant social and economic consequences\, ranging from poorer health outcomes and higher isolation to workforce loss\, increased public spending\, and brain drain. The Cities for All Ages report explores how local and national governments can address these challenges and make cities work for all generations. It highlights strategies such as adapting urban design and land use planning for more accessible cities\, providing age-friendly housing\, and engaging both young and older people in labour and consumer markets. To drive progress\, the report offers a checklist of nine policy actions across three key areas – strategy setting\, resource development and stakeholder co-ordination – to help local and national governments shape cities for all ages. \nThe project Building Child-Friendly Neighbourhoods\, supported by the Van Leer Foundation\, elaborated an OECD-wide monitoring framework\, which lays out the neighbourhood elements that matter for children’s well-being and development\, and maps available cross-national indicators. The identified neighbourhood elements encompass aspects of the built environment\, communities’ social relationships\, and children’s access to basic services such as schools and health services. An OECD-wide monitoring of children’s neighbourhood conditions can support local and national policy makers in building child-friendly neighbourhoods and in attenuating geographical disparities by facilitating resource allocation\, collaboration across sectors and levels of government\, and cross-country learning with respect to effective policy tools. The project also summarises practical considerations for national and local policy makers and other stakeholders involved in data-driven efforts to improve children’s neighbourhoods. It highlights how locally adapted policy solutions hold greater promise to mitigate the locational disadvantage that some children experience. Moreover\, it emphasises the need for more rigorous implementation and evaluations to increase policies’ effectiveness and gain a more complete understanding of the potential of place-based policies to build stronger neighbourhoods for children. \nThe webinar will be held virtually over Zoom. To participate\, please register here. The link with log-in details will be sent to all registered participants. The meeting will be recorded and made publicly available.
URL:https://www.social-connection.org/event/building-cities-and-neighbourhoods-for-children-and-all-ages/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Community
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250528T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250528T170000
DTSTAMP:20260505T093649
CREATED:20250430T175919Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250430T175958Z
UID:4401-1748444400-1748451600@www.social-connection.org
SUMMARY:Bridging and Belonging to Strengthen Social Connections
DESCRIPTION:Bridging across divides and creating a shared sense of belonging in communities is essential to sustain a broader socially connected community. Approaches that honor the diversity of members in the community require bringing people together across differences to avoid othering and siloing of subgroups. Creating a sense of belonging involves helping all community members feel safe and valued. Join us on May 28\, 3-4 pm ET to learn about the status of disconnection in our country and communities\, as well as evidence-based strategies and community examples to foster bridging and belonging while honoring diversity. Calista Small\, Research Manager with More in Common\, will share highlights from the recently released report\, The Connection Opportunity: Insights for Bringing Americans Together Across Difference. Kira Hamman\, Senior Director of Programs with Urban Rural Action\, will share how the Uniting for Action program is bringing highly polarized and once divided communities together. \nRegister here to join the live webinar on Wednesday\, May 28th from 3-4 pm ET\, and hold time in your schedule to join the post-webinar discussion group from 4-5 pm ET to engage in deeper discussions with presenters and peers. \nThe Socially Connected Communities webinars are recorded and made available on Healthy Places by Design’s YouTube channel for public access. The discussion groups are conducted in Zoom meetings. The discussion group session is recorded for internal purposes and is not shared publicly in order to provide a safe and confidential space for participant engagement. \nWebinar registrants are automatically added to the Socially Connected Communities Network communications list and can opt-out at any time.
URL:https://www.social-connection.org/event/bridging-and-belonging-to-strengthen-social-connections/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Community
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-connection.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/HPbD_WebinarDG_SpecificPromo_May2025.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250508T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250508T150000
DTSTAMP:20260505T093649
CREATED:20250430T175533Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250430T175533Z
UID:4399-1746712800-1746716400@www.social-connection.org
SUMMARY:Unpacking the Third AHC Evaluation Report
DESCRIPTION:In November 2024\, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) released the third evaluation report of the Accountable Health Communities (AHC) Model\, in which Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries in 28 communities were screened for social risks and offered navigation to help resolve identified risks. The 177-page report is chock full of interesting findings. Join us for a webinar on May 8th 11-12 PST/2-3pm EST to unpack the report’s findings with Dawn Alley\, former director of the AHC Model at CMMI and Head of Scale at IMPaCT Care and SIREN Co-Directors Caroline Fichtenberg and Danielle Hessler-Jones. This webinar is made possible with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
URL:https://www.social-connection.org/event/unpacking-the-third-ahc-evaluation-report/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Community,Health
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250430T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250430T140000
DTSTAMP:20260505T093649
CREATED:20250430T174809Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250430T175339Z
UID:4397-1746018000-1746021600@www.social-connection.org
SUMMARY:Building Community Care Hubs to Address Health-Related Social Needs: Lessons from New York and North Carolina Medicaid
DESCRIPTION:As state Medicaid programs seek ways to address health-related social needs (HRSN)\, partnerships with community-based organizations (CBOs) are increasingly important. As trusted community entities\, CBOs are well positioned to understand community members’ needs and provide essential services and supports. In recent years\, the number of CBOs contracting with health systems and managed care organizations (MCOs) to deliver HRSN has grown significantly. Creating the infrastructure for effective partnership\, however\, can be costly and burdensome for CBOs\, particularly for smaller\, less resourced organizations. In response\, CBOs are forming networks — often led by a backbone organization called a community care hub — to establish shared infrastructure and a systematic approach for MCOs\, providers\, and CBOs to coordinate service delivery and referrals. \nThis webinar explored how state Medicaid programs are using the community care hub model to better tailor and coordinate delivery of HRSN services to address community needs. It highlighted key design and implementation considerations for building effective hubs\, based on the experiences of Medicaid agencies in New York and North Carolina. \nThe states featured are participants in the Medicaid Health-Related Social Needs Implementation Learning Series\, led by the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) in partnership with HealthBegins and SIREN\, and made possible by the Kaiser Permanente National Community Benefit Fund at The East Bay Community Foundation.
URL:https://www.social-connection.org/event/building-community-care-hubs-to-address-health-related-social-needs-lessons-from-new-york-and-north-carolina-medicaid/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Community,Health
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