April 18, 2024 Convening on Neighboring & Housing
A program of the School of Arts, Culture and Society at Messiah University.
Thank you for your interest! Check back for future events.
Heather Cotignola, Post-doctoral resident at WellSpan Philhaven
Chad Frey, Connecting Communities Program Director
Kelly Waltman-Spreha, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Messiah University
Leah Payne, Program Director of HELP Ministries
Dee Allen, Executive Director of Thrive Housing Services
Senghor Manns, CEO of Harrisburg Housing Authority
Samara Scott, Executive Director of Beahive Affordable Housing Outreach
Jenny Gallagher Blom, Vice President of Community Benefit and Strategic Innovation, Strategic Consulting Partners
Get to know “neighboring”…
“Neighboring” is how neighborhoods are built. It not only describes how we relate to others who live around us but it also how organizations relate to each other within the ecosystems that make up our neighborhoods.
Housing affects every aspect of our lives together. We must work together to make change.
Our mission is to convene community partners to explore the most pressing socio-economic challenges in our region together.
“There are lots of people making an isolated impact. What if we joined together?”
“Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.”
~ Margaret Mead
This convening will bring together small leadership teams from diverse community partner organizations to create collaborative action steps in their strategic plans.
Coordinating in Teams
Members of leadership teams are encouraged to participate in the convening. We recommended about 5-8 people per team to explore partnership opportunities. We especially want to encourage teams to actively working to address housing issues in their municipalities around the following areas:
Prevention (Advocacy & awareness)
Intervention (Direct immediate action)
Recovery (Transitional support)
Stabilizing (Permanent jobs & housing)
Research/Evaluation (Improving understanding)
Policy & Planning (Coordination with local leaders)
Philanthropy (Amplifying good work)