Our new brochure is now available! Please click here!
With today’s busy lifestyle, many of us tend to come home from work, close the garage door behind us, and can live somewhere for years without knowing our neighbours.
People are missing the sense of belonging and contribution that was part of simpler times. The establishment of connected neighbourhoods throughout the Abbotsford area contributes to a sense of safety, builds social networks, and provides people with a unified voice on issues of importance to them.
Abbotsford Connected Neighbourhoods (ACN) is made up of passionate people from organizations such as Abbotsford Community Policing, Abbotsford Community Services, BC Healthy Communities, and the Fraser Valley Centre for Social Enterprise.
The Coalition’s goal is to assist one new group each month. Support can take the form of providing ideas for start up, sharing examples from established groups, giving information about community resources and equipment available, as well as guidance on organizing initial neighbourhood meetings.
Connected neighbourhoods have been around in many forms since people began living in groups. Today, they can be as small as two families or as large as needed to accomplish a common goal. These are examples of connected neighbourhood activities:
-
Neighbours who form a group to interact with the city on important issues
-
A neighbourhood that gathers for a summer block party and BBQ, and a Christmas party
-
People who live on the same street and are concerned about an empty lot being used for garbage dumping
-
A group of seniors who meet once a month for a potluck dinner and conversation
Community members who would like more information, or wish to plan an event to bring their neighbourhood together, can contact Kevin Koopmans, Project Co-Coordinator at 604-864-5770 (extension 309) or by email at kevin.koopmans@southfraser.com
If yours is already a connected neighbourhood, please let us know. Your story will inspire others, and we may be able to connect you with other keen folks who live nearby!
Here are some related links:
