At Communities Together, meaningful change begins with our first step: we listen.

Every year, hundreds of residents tell us what matters most to them, and this year, their voices were clearer than ever. From this year’s resident survey, the top priorities across our family communities were:

• Community meals and potlucks: spaces to connect, share culture, and build belonging.
• Health and wellness programs: from nutrition workshops to fitness and mental-health supports.
• Clubs and activities that bring neighbors together.

Senior communities named healthy living and social connection as their top needs as well.

And while the survey gives us valuable insight, the clearest picture comes from what residents do when given space to lead.

This is exactly what we see through Neighbor Up, Communities Together’s resident-led community-building program. Neighbor Up brings neighbors together to identify priorities, imagine solutions, and co-create the changes they want to see. Our coordinators support the process. The ideas— and the leadership—come from residents.

At Mills Place, a multi-family community in Washington, D.C., resident leadership has been unmistakable. After months of Neighbor Up gatherings, residents didn’t just talk about wanting a stronger, safer community—they organized one. This fall, neighbors launched their own Saturday community cleanup. As one neighbor told our coordinator, “We take care of each other—and you take care of us.”

Today on Giving Tuesday, you can help amplify their voices.

Your gift makes it possible for residents to shape their communities, whether by leading a cleanup, hosting a potluck, starting a health program, or building the next Neighbor Up project that brings people together.

Give now to strengthen resident leadership and community power.

Thank you for believing in the wisdom, creativity, and leadership of the communities we serve. When residents lead, communities thrive, and your support helps make that possible.

With gratitude,
The Communities Together Team