Block connector program
Our Strong Neighbourhoods team created the Block Connector program in 2020 to further support our residents in building a sense of community in Kelowna’s neighbourhoods.
Block Connectors are residents committed to connecting face-to-face with the closest 10-20 households on their block or apartment floor, learning more about who lives on their block and building connections. They’re dedicated to animating the block, building connections with and among neighbours, hosting socials to bring neighbours together and inspiring neighbours to share their gifts, skills, passions and talents with each other.
The core role of a Block Connector is to inspire connections with friends and neighbours within the block to help build a sense of community
By becoming a Block Connector, you will join a larger community effort that aims to build a sense of community and connectedness on every street, apartment and condo complex in Kelowna.
If this sounds intriguing to you, we would love to hear from you! Block Connectors have access to ideas, resources and a supportive team.
As a Block Connector, you will be encouraged to:
- Foster Community Connections: Organize at least one activity per year to help neighbours connect and build relationships.
- Participate in Training: Attend two training sessions designed to support you in your role and enhance your skills.
- Serve as a Community Liaison:
- Point person: The “go-to” person for your block, keeping neighbours updated about block and neighbourhood life. You might create a block contact list to facilitate communication.
- Party person: Plan social events like BBQs or block parties once or twice a year, and coordinate opportunities for neighbours to get involved and contribute.
- Listener: Actively listen to your neighbours' ideas, interests, and skills. Find out what activities they would enjoy doing with neighbours and how they might share their gifts and skills.
The Block Connector program is a grassroots initiative with a simple but powerful purpose of helping neighbours get to know one another better. By having a dedicated person on the block to help build and maintain connections among neighbours, people are more likely to feel included, welcomed and connected with a sense of belonging within their neighbourhood.
Have you ever needed to borrow a ladder? Ask for help with a garden project? Needed someone to house sit while you’re away? The answer may be your neighbours. It can be a cost-effective way to support one another.
Interactions among and between neighbours can have profound effects on an individual’s sense of safety, well-being and belonging and help shape community identity and resiliency. When people know the skills, passions and talents of those around them, they feel more confident in directly connecting with neighbours for support.
Participants in the Block Connector program will have access to Community of Practice (CoP) sessions. These sessions offer valuable resources, including expert insights, workshops, tools, and innovative ideas to help build and strengthen community connections on their block. Additionally, Block Connectors will have the opportunity to share their experiences and collaborate with others in the program.
Some of the topics covered in past CoP sessions include:
- Building FireSmart communities
- Organizing block parties
- Neighbourhood-level emergency preparedness
- Crime prevention through environmental design
- Strong Neighbourhoods' grant program
- Social development
- Asset-based community development
In partnership with the City's community safety department, the block connector program also provides crime education and training to program participants. Residents learn to increase awareness and sense of safety within their neighbourhoods, utilizing prevention strategies that seek to reduce the risk of crime and victimization.
Visit the community safety webpage to learn more about:
- Bike theft prevention
- Frauds and scams
- Protecting your property
- Conducting a basic property assessment
