A group of four people smiling and talking outdoors during fall, with trees and a sunny sky in the background.

Bring Your Neighborhood to Life

Imagine a small group of people like you in every neighborhood — people who notice, who host, who care, and who are connected to others doing the same across cities and states nationwide.

Together, we’re helping neighbors meet, gatherings happen, and blocks come to life again.

We call ourselves the Welcome Committee.

Be part of our next cohort. Apply by September 30, 2026.

Join Us

Your Neighbors Need You

  • 83%

    Not Thriving Socially

  • 72%

    Don’t Regularly Connect 1:1 With Others

  • 27%

    Lack Reliable Social Support

  • 50%

    Not Thriving / Flourishing

  • 58%

    Can’t Rely on Neighbors in an Emergency

  • 45%

    Don’t Trust Others

  • 40%

    Uninterested in Connecting Across Difference

  • 55%

    Feel Politically Disempowered

What’s the Welcome Committee?

The Welcome Committee is a growing movement dedicated to restoring connection in neighborhoods across the country. Members show up for their neighbors through conversation, gathering, and civic engagement, to build the kind of community where everyone belongs.

The Welcome Committee starts with a three-month training period, where you'll build the skills and experience to serve as a Neighborhood Leader long term.

Map of the United States showing locations of neighborhood leaders in various cities, with portraits of 30 individuals on the left side.

Information Sessions

This 30-minute info session is your chance to learn more about our mission to reconnect America, hear directly from current Welcome Committee members, and get your questions answered before you apply for an upcoming cohort. We can't wait to meet you!

NEXT SESSION

Thursday, September 17th 4-4:30pm ET / 1-1:30pm PT

Can’t make it live? Register and we’ll send you the recording.

  • Kickoff (October 8th from 4-5:30pm ET / 1-2:30pm PT): A virtual session to meet your cohort, learn the Six Points of Connection, and get ready to hit the ground running.

  • Live Cohort Sessions (October-November): Three virtual sessions on Thursdays, 4–5:00pm ET / 1-2:00pm PT, each building on the last:

    • October 22 — The Art of Invitation

    • November 5 — Having Connected Conversations

    • November 19 — Hosting & Gathering

  • In Practice (October-December): Between sessions, you'll activate your neighborhood in four ways:

    • Have three Connected Conversations with neighbors

    • Plan & host one neighborhood gathering

  • Graduate (December 10): Receive your Neighborhood Leader certification and join a growing national network of local leaders restoring connection across the country.

Apply by September 30th to join our next cohort, starting in October 2026.

Join the Next Cohort

Join Us

Meet Members of the Welcome Committee

  • Flyer for Brooklyn Welcome Committee featuring a photo of Erin Ewart, connecting neighbors in Brooklyn, with text about 2026 founding member and a colorful geometric design at the bottom.
  • Design for Columbus welcome committee featuring a photo of Chet Ridenour, with a background of buildings, text indicating 2026 founding member, and graphic elements with patriotic colors and patterns.
  • A Welcome Committee badge for Las Vegas with a photo of Lindsay Gordon, a woman with long dark hair wearing a blue plaid shirt, smiling against a concrete background. The badge mentions she joined in 2026 and connects neighbors in Las Vegas, NV.
  • A flyer for the McAllen Welcome Committee featuring a smiling man with dark hair and beard, in a black polo shirt with a logo, promoting connections in McAllen, Texas, with text indicating he is a founding member since 2026.
  • A welcoming brochure for the Seattle community's 2026 founding member event featuring a portrait of Jon Lee, with details about connecting neighbors in Seattle, WA, and a colorful geometric design at the bottom.
  • A poster for a welcoming event in Cambridge, MA, featuring a smiling woman with curly hair against a blue brick wall background. The poster includes the text 'Cambridge Welcome Committee 2026 Funding Member Meg Duffy' and 'Connecting neighbors in Cambridge, MA,' with colorful geometric patterns at the bottom.
  • A welcome sign for a committee in Austin, Texas, featuring a smiling man named Marq Haverty, with colorful geometric designs at the bottom.
  • A promotional poster for a Raleigh welcome committee event featuring Huntley Cuthrell, with a photo of him smiling and text indicating the event is in 2026 and connects neighbors in Raleigh, North Carolina.
  • A promotional poster for a Colorado Springs Welcome Committee featuring a smiling woman with dark hair and earrings, wearing a black blazer and red top, with text about the 2026 Funding Member and her name, Chineta Davis.
  • Welcome poster for Denver Welcome Committee featuring a portrait of Peg McMillen and text about connecting neighbors in Denver, CO, with council and connection icons at the bottom.

Why are People Joining?

  • "My neighbors helped welcome me seven years ago when I bought my house and I want to do the same for others." - Patty Johnson, Chicago

  • "I think it's the long game of connections that will heal the divides, wounds, mistrust and misunderstandings so prevalent today. " - Peg McMillen, Denver

  • "I think it's easy to wait for others to step up, but I want to be that person creating a space of connection and inclusion." - Laura Guido, Seattle

  • "What drew me to the Welcome Committee was its radical belief in human connection at a time when polarization and social isolation are prevalent." - Joel Corte, McAllen, TX

  • "I do this work because I believe that waves of change begin with ripples, and the ripple effects of a single moment of connection are many." - Karen George, Colorado Springs

Apply to Join the Welcome Committee

Do you lead employee volunteering at your company?

Learn how we can partner with you to engage your employees as Welcome Committee volunteers.

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