California Volunteers’ Neighbor-to-Neighbor network partners with numerous cities throughout the state, including the City of Paradise Recreation and Parks District, to support outreach and events that strengthen community connections to better address local needs, including disaster preparedness. Photo courtesy of California Volunteers

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - On Sept. 10, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday announced the Neighbor-to-Neighbor network to strengthen communities and build social connections to better address the loneliness epidemic, disaster preparedness, climate action and local needs.

“Building strong connections with our neighbors fosters a sense of community and belonging, moving our culture from ME to WE,” said First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom. “It’s through these relationships that we improve our mental health and sense of security.”

California Volunteers, Office of the Governor partnered with numerous cities across the state to create resident-led community events where neighbors can come together to address local needs such as removing invasive plant species in fire prone communities or creating disaster preparedness kits. Partners are empowering locals to work on neighborhood improvement projects and bringing community members together to build connections.

“When neighbors are connected, we are better prepared for disasters, more economically resilient, less lonely and happier,” said California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. “When neighbors are connected, communities thrive.”

Neighbor-to-Neighbor partners work to build community connections and increase feelings of belonging to address the epidemic of loneliness public health crisis as declared by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy after he traveled the U.S. and learned people feel isolated, invisible and insignificant.

Neighbor-to-Neighbor partner cities and organizations include City of Cupertino, City of Richmond, City of San Francisco, City of San Jose, City of Long Beach, City of Riverside, Kern County, Nevada City and Paradise Recreation and Parks District.

“We are proud to partner with California Volunteers to implement Neighbor-to-Neighbor in Long Beach. Through this program, we will foster a stronger sense of community, connection, support and resiliency in neighborhoods throughout our city,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. “By fostering social connections and empowering individuals to address local needs, we can create a more resilient and compassionate Long Beach now and for generations to come.”

Through the Neighbor-to-Neighbor partnership with California Volunteers, the City of Richmond holds a community event to bring residents together to share information and address issues in their neighborhoods. Photo courtesy of California Volunteers

In March 2020, during the Covid–19 pandemic, California Volunteers called on Californians to check on their vulnerable neighbors who may have needed assistance. The $10 million Neighbor-to-Neighbor network was funded in the FY 2022-23 to expand California’s existing volunteer infrastructure and bolster the statewide Neighbor-to-Neighbor network to recruit, train, equip and organize neighbors to address community needs. The network builds on the community mobilization and connections that resulted from the pandemic.

“The impact of the Neighbor-to-Neighbor grant in the communities we serve is immense and will continue to resonate for years to come. As a rural, foothill community recovering from wildfires, there are unique challenges to connect our residents and bringing people together has been both an exciting and rewarding challenge for our staff and partners,” said Dan Efseaff, District Manager of the Paradise Recreation and Parks District. “We are proud to be underway in using this grant and support from California Volunteers, Office of the Governor and to foster stronger connections and a deeper sense of unity.”

In addition to Neighbor-to-Neighbor, California Volunteers offers a Meet Six Neighbors campaign which encourages community members to connect with their neighbors as studies have shown simply knowing six neighbors increases people’s sense of well-being and creates safer and more disaster-ready neighborhoods.

For more information, visit CAneighbors.com.