TRIP’s Post

Looking for a fun way to wind down after Thanksgiving? 🦃✨ Check out our YMCA of CNW Word Search! 🧩 Grab your family, friends, or a cup of coffee, and see how many words you can find. It’s a great way to relax and connect this holiday weekend. 💙 #FamilyFun #YMCAWordSearch #YMCA

YMCAs...Keeping Halloween Safe AND Fun For Families Trunks, Treats, and Total Peace of Mind Across the U.S., YMCAs are more than fitness centers—they’re community hubs. This Halloween, many are hosting Trunk-or-Treat events, where families gather in decorated parking lots to enjoy a safe, fun night. Parents, kids, and neighbors come together to celebrate in a secure space without the traffic concerns of traditional trick-or-treating. Started in the '90s, Trunk-or-Treat has grown into a beloved tradition. With cars decked out for the occasion, kids can wander among superheroes, princesses, and ghosts to collect treats without worrying about busy streets. The YMCA makes it easy for families to celebrate together while putting safety first. Beyond Halloween, YMCAs serve communities year-round.  It is why it’s our mission to help Ys leverage their real estate to align with community needs, empowering them to evolve facilities, increase memberships, and stay financially sustainable. For an organization with 180 years of impact, it's a powerful way to expand and continue serving the communities who count on them. #TrunkOrTreat #YMCA #CommunityBuilding #HalloweenSafety #FamilyFun #BuildingStrongerCommunities #Gro #GroDev

The holiday season is upon us 🎄🎅🤶, a time of joy, love, and connection. As someone passionate about community, I believe this is the perfect opportunity to spread cheer 🎉 and build bridges with those around us. In my latest blog post, I share some of my favorite ways to foster a sense of togetherness with your neighbors. From hosting a low-key holiday gathering to organizing a toy drive 🎁, many simple yet meaningful ways exist to bring people together. And let's not forget the power of small gestures. A plate of homemade cookies 🍪, a kind note 💌, or a little care package 📦 can go a long way in showing your neighbors you value them. This holiday season, I encourage you to get creative and see how you can spread some love ❤️🔥 to those around you. Let's build stronger, more supportive communities, one act of kindness at a time. Read my latest blog post for some inspiration: https://lnkd.in/esvF_PN5 Share with me: What's your favorite way to build community during the holidays? How do you plan to spread some cheer to your neighbors this year? #LiveSovereign #HolidayCheer #CommunityBuilding

🎃 What We Can Learn About Community from "The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" 🎃 On this eve of Halloween, I'm reminded of the classic "The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"—a story that's more than just a holiday tradition; it’s a parable about community, belief, and the power of engagement. In the story, Linus passionately believes in the Great Pumpkin and dedicates his Halloween night to waiting in the pumpkin patch. While the world may not share his vision, he finds support and companionship with Sally. This small community, bound by shared experience and belief, creates a meaningful bond that transcends the outcome. Here's what associations can take from Linus's dedication: 🌱 Belief Creates Engagement: Linus’s belief, even when unpopular, inspires curiosity and commitment. Associations thrive when they foster a shared purpose and empower their members to engage fully, creating a community that believes in a shared vision. 🌱 Community is Built Through Shared Experiences: Just as Linus and Sally find comfort together in the pumpkin patch, association members build stronger relationships through shared challenges and experiences. It’s these individual moments that solidify the community. 🌱 Memorable Moments Bring Resilience: Just as Charlie Brown’s "All I got was a rock" moment became a classic, associations can turn unexpected or disappointing experiences into memorable, bonding moments. Not every engagement will lead to immediate success, but shared stories—good and bad—build a resilient and close-knit community. Sometimes, the moments that don’t go as planned bring people together the most. As we celebrate Halloween, let’s remember the importance of community and engagement. Together, our associations can foster spaces where belief and connection grow—no matter the outcome. 🎃 Happy Halloween! 🎃 #Community #Engagement #Associations #Halloween #TheGreatPumpkin #CharlieBrown

Well done

Research continues to show that social connection and belonging are inseparable from our mental and physical well-being. That's why being part of and investing time in community is so important. 👉 Community, at its core, is about feeling connected to others. Community is more than a place; it's the feeling of being recognized, supported, needed and part of something bigger. Even our language - "sense of community" or "sense of belonging" - suggests something deeper. 👉 While we all need community, the types we join will look different. Take a moment to reflect on what's most important to you and find ways to live it out with others. This could be your neighborhood book club, pickleball league, faith-based organization, or volunteer group. We all need a place to belong. Think of ways you can create moments of community for yourself and others. Simple acts like saying 'hello' to a neighbor, checking in on a coworker, or acknowledging a store cashier can keep us connected to the bigger world. Learn more at www.getforte.com #community #mentalhealthawareness #employewellbeing

Halloween is more than costumes, candy, and haunted houses. At its core, Halloween is a time when people come together to celebrate community in all its diversity and creativity. This holiday provides a unique lens through which we can see the impact of community building and explore how our shared experiences bring us closer, strengthening bonds and fostering a sense of belonging. One of the most cherished traditions of Halloween is trick-or-treating. On this night, neighborhoods transform into lively, friendly spaces where families venture door-to-door. Each doorstep represents an opportunity for connection. As a leader, I often think about the importance of these interactions, especially in fostering a sense of safety and openness within communities. Halloween gives us a reminder that community engagement can be simple yet powerful. These connections form the backbone of resilient communities that support one another not only in celebration but also in times of need. Halloween is a great equalizer; everyone can participate in their way. Costumes, decorations, and festivities don’t require a specific skill or background, making it easy for people to join in. Just as we strive to be inclusive in our community-building efforts, Halloween naturally invites diversity and individuality, encouraging everyone to feel welcome. In this way, Halloween is a model for creating inclusive spaces where each person feels valued for their unique contributions. Halloween also brings forward the importance of safety in our communities. Families feel confident letting their children explore the neighborhood, which points to a trust that’s been built over time. Community-building efforts often focus on creating spaces where individuals feel secure and supported. As we engage with our neighbors during Halloween, we’re reminded of the importance of safe, trusted environments in fostering a thriving community. Questions to Consider: How Can We Extend the Halloween Spirit Year-Round? As a leader in development, I encourage us to think about how we can carry the sense of community Halloween fosters throughout the year. Consider these questions as we aim to build stronger, more connected neighborhoods: How can we create more opportunities for engagement in our communities? Are there regular events or meetups we could establish to foster interaction and mutual support? How can we ensure safety and trust within our communities? Are there specific initiatives or strategies we could adopt to ensure that everyone feels secure and confident in their community? Halloween is a wonderful reminder of the joys and benefits of community. Let’s take this holiday spirit and use it to inspire ongoing efforts to create welcoming, resilient communities. When we engage with one another, we help build a foundation of trust, inclusivity, and connection that can endure long after the jack-o’-lanterns are put away.

We’ve been thinking!! How do you keep the Community Spirit Alive Beyond the Holidays? As we wrap up the festive season, we’ve been reflecting on the incredible sense of community we've witnessed—people coming together to share gifts, food, and joy. It’s truly heartwarming! However, it raises an important question: how do we sustain this spirit beyond the holiday season? While it's wonderful to see this outpouring of kindness during Christmas, we are curious about your thoughts and plans for keeping this momentum going throughout the year. What initiatives are you considering to foster connection and support in your community? What’s your plan to keep the festive spirit alive? Share your thoughts below! #Community #Togetherness #Sustainability #SocialImpact #YearRoundGiving #socialworktoolkit

Celebrate your achievements - big or small. Every victory matters; it signifies progress and sets the stage for future success. Here's what we can celebrate: → completed a major task early → successfully followed a budget → achieved this week's sales goals → received a thank you from a client → volunteered at a community food drive → connected with a new industry contact → mastered a new app to streamline tasks → enjoyed a rejuvenating long hike with a friend → resolved a complex issue that was a headache Take a moment to reflect on your recent achievements. How will you celebrate them? #MentalHealthAwareness #SmallWins

Hey, fans! We are starting a new week; how is it going? Let's support one another and kick some butts. Keep in mind that since we are all in this together, we can do great things. Remain upbeat and driven, and together, let's make this a great week! More than ever, it is critical for communities to come together and support one another. Let's encourage one another when we face difficulties and recognize one another's successes. When we work together, we can get past any challenges that we face. Have you ever interacted with the residents next door? Developing a close-knit community and support network can be achieved through cultivating ties with our neighbors. Spend some time getting to know people around you and introducing yourself; you never know how it can affect your day-to-day activities. You never know; you might meet someone who can assist you in an emergency situation or even become a new buddy. Developing relationships with those around us can make the community more cohesive and encouraging for all members. By interacting with our neighbors and building relationships, we may establish a support system that is advantageous to all parties. In order to make sure that we can rely on one another in difficult times, it's critical to promote a sense of community and unity within our neighborhoods. Suggestions on how to build relationships with your neighbors: 1. Host a neighborhood block party or BBQ to bring everyone together in a casual setting. 2. Join or create a neighborhood watch group to promote safety and communication among residents. 3. Volunteer for community events or projects to collaborate with your neighbors on common goals and interests. 4. Start a neighborhood book club or gardening club to encourage regular interaction and bonding among residents. 5. Attend local town hall meetings or neighborhood association gatherings to stay informed and engaged with community issues and initiatives. 6. Organize a neighborhood cleanup day to work together on improving the appearance and environment of your area, fostering a sense of pride and teamwork among neighbors. 7 Ways to Establish Good Neighbor Relationships: 1. Make an introduction. 2. Be Personable and Kind. 3. Engage in Effective Communication. 4. Show consideration and respect. 5. Engage in Activities. 6. Provide Aid and Encouragement. 7. Take Care of Your Neighbors. Take the plunge and say hello. Maybe crack a joke to break the ice. #earlybird #weekendvibes #buddies #positivity #togetherness #payitforward #attitude #localsupport #optimism #progress