Ideas for Your Neighborhood Neighborhoods are the building blocks of our community and neighbors who work together are stronger and healthier. The City of Valparaiso encourages neighbors to work together to make their neighborhoods engaged, green, safe and healthy. The activities outlined below will allow your group to build neighborhood pride and increase your engagement with the Valparaiso community. If your neighborhood has stories of success or new ideas to share after trying one of the activities listed below please share with us at 462-1161!
Engaged
• Neighborhood Directory – Sign up to add your neighborhood group to the city-wide neighborhood directory. • Communications – Consider opening up more communication channels with your neighbors. Using social media, paper materials, e-newsletters or yard signs can be affordable, easy ways to reach more people about activities, plans or events. Browse different online “app” options like Next Door. • New Neighbor Welcome Program – Organize a “Welcome Committee” with some neighbors to greet new neighbors as they move in. You may bring information about your neighborhood or HOA, a Valpo Chamber Newcomer’s Packet, information about community organizations and more – or simply introduce yourselves so they can meet some friendly faces in town! Browse some creative ideas. • Improvement Project – Organize an improvement project in your neighborhood. The project could range from volunteers to help with common area landscaping to submitting a grant application up to $15,000 through our Neighborhood Improvement Grant program. • Block Party – This toolkit provides tips on hosting a fabulous block party in your neighborhood. Contact us if you need any road closures and browse some creative ideas. • City Government Academy – Participate in our City Government Academy program to learn more about the role of your local government presented classroom style by city leadership team members. • Group Volunteer Projects – If you and your neighbors have shared interests in giving back to the community, you may be able to find a group volunteer opportunity in or outside of your neighborhood boundaries. Check out the Northwest Indiana Regional Volunteer Center and keep United Way of Porter County’s Day of Caring in mind to participate with hundreds of members throughout the community and county. • Seasonal Neighbor Assistance – During the fall and winter
26 I SPRING 2021 I neighborhood toolkit
