Neighborhood Commons is a safe and welcoming space inspiring conversation, connection, and collaboration.
Welcome.
There is room for you here.
We are a mix of those with an abundance of resources & those who struggle to put food on the table, those who have lived here for generations & those who moved in to be part of the redevelopment, those who benefit from these changes & those who do not. We have seen & experienced the fragmentation & disconnection that exists here, and we have wondered how to be more present in that intersection, and how sharing a space could allow for that possibility.
Last year, we began calling that space Springfield Commons, and eventually Neighborhood Commons. We are currently sharing space with the Sanctuary on 8th Street, where we host our planning meetings. Here are some of the activities we are planning this spring (and a few ideas for future activities).
Are you curious about Neighborhood Commons? Join us on Tuesday, April 30th at 6 p.m. at Nathan & Mary Elizabeth Ballentine's (133 W. 3rd St., 32206) for a bring-something-to-share dinner. We will eat, meet & chat about what we may want to do together this summer. Please bring a dish to share.
May -- Planning meeting at Sanctuary on 8th for June event (an end-of-school/summer-is-here community celebration)
Also in the works + ideas for future activities: a neighborhood scavenger hunt, park / playground hopping, community pop-ups, community walks, Field Trip to New Town's Memory Cafe, game night
Does this spark interest in you? We would love you to join us for our next planning meeting (see below). You can also email us at neighborhoodcommonsspr@gmail.com.
Do I need to live in Springfield to participate in Neighborhood Commons?
The short answer is NO!
At the heart of Neighborhood Commons is a desire to…
Create a space of welcome and belonging: We are building a “bigger table” together that includes many different voices and perspectives and invites everyone to contribute something.
Nurture authentic connection: We recognize the pervasiveness of loneliness, isolation and fragmentation along socio-economic and racial lines that continue to plague us, and we want to nurture an alternative. We believe the alternative begins with nurturing authentic connection.
Cultivate collaboration: There are many people doing work for the common good of our community and we want to cultivate more opportunities for sharing, collaborating & creating together.
Upcoming Events
We started with a small group of people hosting “pop-up community” at the corner of 8th & Walnut from Feb.-June 2022, and enjoyed connecting over coffee & conversation with whoever stopped by. Over the last year we have hosted many community conversations and dinner planning meetings. We have shared ideas, engaged in meaningful conversation, hosted a community walk and a brunch with Rethreaded, made new friends and continued working on developing our infrastructure while exploring potential spaces.
Are you curious about Neighborhood Commons? Join us on Tuesday, April 30th at 6 p.m. at Nathan & Mary Elizabeth Ballentine's (133 W. 3rd St., 32206) for a bring-something-to-share dinner. We will eat, meet & chat about what we may want to do together this summer. Please bring a dish to share.
Bring an openness to listening & sharing ideas, a readiness to work together, and a friend who might appreciate this kind of space.
We are creating this together.
While The Well is a founding partner of this project, Neighborhood Commons is being created by and with the larger community. Here’s how you can join in!
Show up to any of our planning meetings or events.
Contact us to be added to email list - neighborhoodcommonsspr@gmail.com
Make a donation. Click on the button below to make a tax-deductible gift toward Neighborhood Commons. Make sure to designate “Neighborhood Commons”.
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.
- Mother Teresa