NeighborhoodWorks Conference

The NeighborhoodWorks! Conference is open to everyone—Manchester resident or not—who is interested in learning about how to create connected, safe, healthy, engaged, beautiful, and generous communities where they live, work, or attend school. We encourage professional community builders; activists; town, school and agency staff; and neighborhood residents from all backgrounds to attend. This full-day conference will be held at the former Nathan Hale School building located at 160 Spruce Street in Manchester. It will feature a lunchtime tour and LearnShop, “Repurposing Public Buildings for Public Good”. Additional information is included in the special conference edition of Better Manchester Magazine, viewable online at www.naf.townofmanchester.org. Lunch will be provided for no additional charge. A registration confirmation packet will be sent to you no later than a week prior to the conference providing more specific information regarding registration check in. More detailed information will be given out the date of the conference. If you have any additional questions please call 860-647-3084.

Conference Schedule
8:00 am–9:00 am: Registration & Check-In
9:00 am-9:30 am: Keynote: Creating Thriving Neighborhoods One Relationship at a Time
9:30 am-11:00 am: LearnShop Session I
11:00 am-12:30 pm: Morning Panel: Neighborhoods that Work for Everyone!
12:30 pm-2:00 pm: Lunch Learnshop & Tour: RePurposing Public Buildings for the Public Good
2:00 pm-3:30 pm: LearnShop Session II
3:30 pm-4:00 pm: Closing: Building Neighborhoods that Work for Everyone
7:00 pm: Post-Conference Panel: Talking About the "H" Word, The First Step to a Heroin-Free Community

Conference Track 1: Neighborhood Relations
Online or face-to-face, from organizational partnerships to one-on-one interactions, healthy neighborhoods start with relationships. Strong social networks result in healthier, safer neighborhoods, and ones that are more resilient in the face of crisis.
Session I: Community Building for Nerds: Using Technology to Create Connected Communities
Session II: Creating Place-Based: A “How To” Guide for Professional and Citizen Community Builders

Conference Track 2: Neighborhood Wellness
Green, safe, walkable neighborhoods for all help to protect against the toxic stress that disproportionately affects those living in poverty. By investing in neighborhood safety now, we can preempt social and public health costs down the road.
Session I: Grassroots Gardening: Creating Community Gardens from the Ground Up
Session II: Let’s Start Talking About the “H” Word: The First Step to Heroin-Free Neighborhoods

Conference Track 3: Neighborhood Engagement
Vital, thriving neighborhoods are created by an engaged community. Authentic neighborhood engagement builds upon existing strengths and responds to expressed needs.
Session I: Youth as Resources: Partnering with Youth to Create a Better Community
Session II: Demanding-Driven Programming: A Real World Approach to Community Development

Conference Track 4: Neighborhood Beautification
Beautiful neighborhoods are safer neighborhoods, with less crime and more community pride. Small investments in green space—ten more trees on a city block—can make residents healthier, happier, and even perceive themselves as richer.
Session I: Parks, Trails, and Green Spaces: Why Neighborhoods Need More Nature
Session II: Beautification Without Gentrification: Creating Better Neighborhoods for Everyone

Conference Track 5: Neighborhood Sharing
In cash-poor communities, a culture of giving can offset the negative effects of unemployment, poverty, and discriminatory practices such as red-lining. When neighbors share resources, they enjoy social, economic, and environmental benefits.
Session I: Volunteering with Benefits: How Time Banking Builds Relationships of Mutual Aid
Session II: Working Alone Stinks: How Coworking Can Revitalize Neighborhoods and Build Community