(COLORADO SPRINGS) – The City of Colorado Springs and several community partners launched the 1,000 Neighborhood Gatherings initiative on Saturday, May 18, with appearances from several elected officials.
The 1,000 Neighborhood Gatherings Initiative encourages neighbors to connect with each other to address social isolation and loneliness. The initiative is designed to promote mental health and allow individuals to build a support system in their own neighborhoods.
“It is one of my priorities to raise awareness about the importance of mental health while providing concrete action and resources to community members,” said Mayor Yemi.
To mark the beginning of the initiative, Mayor Yemi Mobolade, First Lady Abbey Mobolade, Governor Jared Polis and Councilors David Leinweber and Nancy Henjum attended three of the first meetings held in the city on Saturday.
These visits included a meeting in the southeast part of the city hosted by Kimberly Gold, president of the Colorado Springs Black Chamber of Commerce; a meeting held by Silver Key Senior Services at the North Hancock Apartments; and one in Stratton Meadows, organized by Kelly Bull, interim director of the Council of Neighbors and Organizations (CONO), where neighbors gathered to beautify and landscape a garden so that it was watery and edible. Approximately 100 people aged 4 to 87 attended the three events.
“Strong communities are built on a foundation of connections with our neighbors, and it has been great to see these connections being built and strengthened today,” said Mayor Yemi. “Every event today was unique and special, and I am so grateful to all the hosts and attendees who answered the call and stood up for your neighbors.
Elected officials will continue to attend select events throughout the summer. The initiative ends on Saturday September 28, National Neighbors Day.
Individuals and businesses are encouraged to organize their own community events and register with the initiative. This is how you organize neighborhood meetings:
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Choose the date: Meetings count until September 28, as long as they are registered.
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Choose and Plan a Gathering: There are several ways to organize a party, click here for some ideas.
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Invite your neighbors: knock on their door and mention it the next time you see them or post on social media sites like Nexdoor, ZonZon or your neighborhood Facebook group.
For more information, please view the website here.
“To all those who plan to organize or attend a neighborhood meeting this summer: see you soon,” said Mayor Yemi. “And I thank you for helping us celebrate community as a way to combat mental health.”
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