We Built a Platform for Community Builders. Now We’re Helping Build the Movement.
Announcing Community Week NYC, a celebration of social connection
Something we think about a lot is that the people doing the hardest, most important work of building community and social connection are mostly doing it alone.
They’re running book clubs and storytelling nights and run clubs and game nights. They’re showing up every time to hold space for people who need it. They’re building belonging from scratch, on passion and fumes (not to mention hoping and praying someone shows up), with almost no infrastructure beneath them. Communities can feel like they’re held together by chewing gum and popsicle sticks.
And when you’re under that pressure, it’s hard to see that what you’re doing is vital to the health of our neighborhoods, cities, and even our democracy. But it is. And it’s time we started treating it that way.
That’s why when Sugary NYC reached out to us to collaborate on launching Community Week NYC, we leapt at the chance.
Why this, why now
New Yorkers (yes, we’re talking to you!) crave real connection; more than half of them report feeling lonely. And they aren’t looking for another event. They’re looking for somewhere to be seen, feel like they matter…and that they belong.
The people helping address this deserve more than a shoutout, kudos, a pat on the back. They deserve tools, peers, real support, and a city that shows up for them the way they show up for everyone else.
What Community Week NYC actually is
It’s a nine-day, city-wide celebration of social connection running May 9-17 across all five boroughs. We’re planning for 50 (or more!) community builders and leaders hosting events, all free or low-cost, all built around one thing: real human connection.
But it’s bigger than a week of events. It’s the launching point for a permanent platform that advocates for community builders, develops their capacity, and makes the case that social connection is worth investing in. For neighborhoods. For small businesses. For public health. For cities.
Come to the info session
If you want to learn more, we’re hosting an info session and community builder meetup on Wednesday, March 18, from 6:30-8:30 PM at Fabrik in Tribeca. RSVP here.
Whether you run a community, want to start one, or just want a richer social life in this city, this is where it starts. Come meet the people building community across New York, find out how to get involved, and learn what support exists for builders like you.
And if you’re ready to go, fill out our community interest form today!
Follow along at @communityweek.nyc as we build toward Community Week NYC this coming May.
Community Week NYC is presented by Sugary NYC and week nights.
Questions? Say hello at hello@communityweek.nyc.