The Neighborhood

Connecticut’s Network for Service

The Neighborhood is both our name and our vision. With volunteers and civic leaders, we’re building a network for service that makes Connecticut feel like one connected neighborhood—where volunteers and civic leaders across towns look out for one another, share resources, and celebrate each other’s contributions.

That’s the Connecticut we’re building: a place where geographic distance doesn’t prevent neighborly connection, where good ideas spread organically from one community to another, and where showing up for your own town or city means joining a movement across the entire state.

Across Connecticut, volunteers and civic leaders show up consistently for their communities—and they achieve extraordinary impact.

Yet, a relatively small core group advance the majority of efforts. Most of these caring leaders serve without visibility, resources, or a statewide network to amplify their efforts.

Group of diverse people packaging food in a community kitchen or food drive.

What would it take to double the number of active volunteers and civic leaders in every Connecticut town and city?

This should be possible, especially at a time when people yearn for belonging, purpose, and connection. However, volunteerism and social trust continue to decline and civic participation is fragmented. People feel less tied to institutions and less hopeful that traditional systems can solve shared problems.

The problem isn’t a lack of people with ideas for helping their communities; for every volunteer and civic leader, there are many more people who have ideas. The challenge is getting people to act on their ideas, transforming dreamers into leaders by providing the necessary support and connection.

That’s why our mission is to build a network of volunteers and civic leaders who strengthen their communities and inspire others to join them.

Together, working with communities, we aim to make Connecticut feel like one big neighborhood where volunteers and civic leaders are connected, supported, and celebrated.

  • What are the needs and opportunities in your community? What would you like to see in a statewide network for service? Share your ideas here!

  • Invite us to your community. We’d love meet with you and other volunteers and civic leaders to listen and learn. What do you think it would take to double the number of active volunteers in your community? Connect with us!

  • Engage at the very beginning! Connect with volunteers and civic leaders throughout Connecticut. Play a role in building a network that helps you and inspires others to join you in service. Connect with us!

The Neighborhood serves volunteers and civic leaders. So we start by listening and learning from them, since it is their needs and aspirations that determine the network design and program. Connect with us to build a statewide network for service!

Firefighter wearing a helmet and protective gear standing in front of an emergency scene with other firefighters and a fire truck in the background.