| COMMUNITIES TOGETHER INC |
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| When Residents are Invited to Lead, Communities Advance |
| Last year, Communities Together hosted focus groups at Clinton Manor, a senior community in Clinton, Maryland. Residents shared ideas about the activities they wanted to see, and open dialogue turned into action. Residents felt empowered to step forward and advocate for the programs that mattered to them, and seniors have since worked with their Communities Together Coordinator to launch craft and gardening clubs. What began as a conversation became a calendar filled with connection and creativity.At another community, residents proposed a Bible study group. In another, neighbors asked for jazz performances and a coffee club to bring people together. Book clubs and walking groups have followed—all sparked by residents’ ideas and shaped by their leadership.At Mills Place in Washington DC, Neighbor Up participants took pride in their community a step further. One resident organized and led weekly Saturday community clean-ups outside the property. What began as one neighbor’s initiative became a visible symbol of stewardship and care.These hyperlocal innovations imagined by residents, supported by the Communities Together staff, and sustained by neighbors themselves exemplify the power of Neighbor Up—cultivating new leaders and strengthening connections across the communities we serve. |
 Mills Place Safety and Security presentation with the Metropolitan Police Department |
| Program Highlight |
| This month, Communities Together is launching a new partnership with George Washington University, where eight public policy students will work alongside our team and residents through early May.Grounded in residents’ real challenges, students are supporting three community-engaged projects:Career Readiness: Many residents hold degrees or professional experience, yet it’s a challenge to find stable jobs with livable wages and benefits. Students will map career pathways across Washington, DC—identifying employers and long-term opportunities that could help residents close income gaps and build stability.Financial Assistance & Resource Access: Students are researching utility supports, local benefits, and partner organizations that can help residents access financial assistance and prevent or reduce outstanding rent balances.Safety & Security Preparedness: In response to resident concerns, students are researching protocols for emergency preparedness, conflict resolution and de-escalation practices, and digital safety. Their research will help develop tools for residents to stay safe physically, emotionally, and online.The insights and tools developed through this partnership will directly strengthen Communities Together’s Career Development & Education, Financial & Housing Stability, and Community-Building “Neighbor Up” programs, turning research into real-world resources residents can use to build stability, security, and opportunity. When research is grounded in lived experience, it translates into practical tools, stronger systems, and meaningful progress for those who need it most. |
| By the Numbers |
| Spanning 29 communities across DC, Maryland, and Virginia, Communities Together collaborates with 65 partner organizations and individuals to bring residents access to programs, events, and resources. |
| Partnership Spotlight: Britepaths |
| Through our partnership with Britepaths, residents are expanding their financial knowledge and strengthening their long-term goals. Britepaths brings both safety-net supports and comprehensive financial empowerment directly into our communities—from workshops on budgeting, credit, and career advancement to individualized, one-to-one coaching that helps residents turn plans into progress. Together, we’re building on residents’ ambition, providing tools, guidance, and confidence to pursue stable employment, grow small businesses, and make financial decisions that support lasting economic mobility. Every story we share begins with a resident with an idea, a neighbor who showed up, or a partnership rooted in shared purpose. Thank you for being part of the work that makes these moments possible. Warmly, The Communities Together Team |