Rochester Leadership Group to Encourage Block Parties
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The latest group of future community leaders to participate in the Leadership Greater Rochester program wants to help Rochester area residents throw some parties.
The 2017 Leadership Greater Rochester graduating class has announced this year’s community improvement project is “Building Blocks: Building Community One Block at a Time." The aim of the effort is to help address the local community’s growing need for connectedness.
Citing a report from the United Way and data collected during a series of community conversations last year, the leadership group, sponsored by the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, found people in Rochester feel disconnected, and sometimes isolated, particularly from their neighbors.
To address the issue, the Leadership Greater Rochester participants have adopted a two pronged approach. The first is the development of a neighborhood toolkit with city’s RNeighbors organization. The other component is the purchase of a trailer stocked with block party supplies and equipment that can be used to host neighborhood gatherings in conjunction with RNeighbors and the Rochester Park and Rec Department.
Leadership Greater Rochester is currently raising the funds, and in-kind donations needed to implement the plan. Visit the group's Facebook page for more information.