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As part of Dr. Vivek H. Murthy’s "Recipes for Connection" initiative, the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General features Block Party USA as a resource that supports building social connection through gathering.
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Vanessa was a featured panelist at Wilton: Let’s Talk Mental Health. (10/23/26 Good Morning Wilton)
Vanessa joined other mental health professionals for meaningful dialogue about mental health, substance abuse, and resources. (10/22/26)
Block Party USA was a collaborating partner of the United States Chamber of Connection Connected Cities 2026 Summit. (10/15-10/16/26)
Vanessa shares the benefits of simple neighborhood gatherings in "The Block Party Doesn’t Need a Bouncy House." (10/3/26 United States Chamber of Connection)
Block Party USA was a host of the inaugural “Find Your People Fair.” (10/3/26)
Block Party USA helped build neighborhood connection all across America during Welcome Week 2026. (9/26-10/3/26)
Vanessa attended the New York City premiere of Brotherhood: A Cinematic Musical. (10/1/26)
At DOROT and Weave event, Vanessa presented practical methods to cultivate connection in your community. (9/30/26)
Vanessa was a featured speaker at 2nd Annual Bridging Movement Summit. (9/25/26)
Block Party USA featured in “Block Parties Are Making a Comeback” (9/1/26 Saturday Evening Post)
Vanessa presented “Block Party 101: Building Community One Block at a Time” at the Wilton Library. (8/19/26)
Vanessa presented “Block Party 101: Building Community One Block at a Time” at the Ridgefield Library. (8/18/26)
Vanessa joined Let Grow’s Lenore Skenazy and Holly Moscatiello of The Balance Project for a conversation about friendship, trust, community, and how parents can create more opportunities to connect in real life. (7/29/26)
Wilton Residents Encouraged to Host Neighborhood Block Parties as Part of Nationwide “American Summer” Campaign (7/22/26 Good Morning Wilton)
Vanessa joined other Aspen Institute Weavers to share how she’s shaping America 250. (7/16/26)
Vanessa shared “How to Throw a Block Party” with the US Chamber of Connection’s Welcome Committee members. (6/25/26)
Vanessa was a featured speaker at Aspen Institutes’s “Why We Weave” panel discussion. (5/28/26)
Vanessa gets hosts Charlotte Massey and Aaron Hurst to publicly commit to throwing neighborhood gatherings this summer! (5/26/26 US Chamber of Connection How We Connected podcast)
Vanessa invites readers to step outside their doors and join Block Party USA American Summer! (5/21/26 Streetsblog USA)
Because of Vanessa's efforts, Gov. Lamont made Good Neighbor Day (Sept. 28th) an official day of recognition. (5/19/26)
The Grand Dame of block parties, Vanessa Elias, joined Katherine Goldstein for a Double Shift Zoom conversation to share block party ideas and advice. (4/22/26)
Vanessa Elias presented "Block Parties – Strengthening Our Social Fabric and Democracy" to Harvard Kennedy School New England Alumni Association. (3/31/26)
Vanessa led a coalition of Wilton organizations to host a “Join or Die” screening as reported in “Combatting Isolation, Fostering Connections in Wilton.” (3/5/26 Good Morning Wilton)
BPUSA featured on the Foundation for Social Connection “US SILC Ecosystem Map” (1/27/26)
Vanessa attended Flourishing Neighborhoods: The Key to Renewing America. (12/7-12/8/25)
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