
With the high rate of crime in the city, interest is growing in Kelowna’s Block Connector program.
Block connectors are residents committed to meeting face-to-face with the closest households on their block or in their apartment building. They host socials and inspire neighbours to share their skills and talents with others. They also receive training on how to enhance safety on their block.
Right now there are 45 block connectors, but the City of Kelowna is looking for more. It is hosting a free virtual information session for interested residents on Wednesday, September 21.
The city says there has been significant interest in the information session.
The aim of the grassroots initiative is to help neighbours get to know one another by having a dedicated person on the block to help build and maintain connections, thereby building a sense of belonging and safety.
Some of the responsibilities of the role include:
- Help neighbours connect through an activity at least once a year
- Attend a series of virtual training sessions that will support Block Connectors in their role
- Act as a point person, party person and listener for your street, apartment or condo complex.
- Point person: The “go-to” person for your block who keeps neighbours updated about block and neighbourhood life. You might put together a block contact list to help neighbours get connected.
- Party person: The event organizer who initiates block social gatherings such as BBQs and block parties once or twice a year, or coordinate opportunities for neighbours to get involved and help lead
- Listener: The attentive person who asks neighbours about their ideas for the neighbourhood, what pastimes they would enjoy doing with neighbours and the skills and gifts they would be willing to share with the block/neighbourhood
Members of the block connector program have access to Community of Practice (CoP) sessions. The topics covered include crime prevention through environmental design, neighbourhood-level emergency preparedness and building firesmart communities.
The city is asking participants to register in advance for the virtual information session that begins at 7 p.m. on September 21. The Block Connector program was created in 2020 by the Strong Neighbourhoods team.