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 Elias and Kim Zemo led the Wilton Youth Council Lunch and Learn webinar, “How to Help When Your Child is Struggling.” (5/6/25)
Vanessa Elias joined the SFCxUS community to discuss how to host a block party and build community within your neighborhood. (5/5/25)
Block Party USA featured in “You’ve Probably Already Met Your Next Best Friend.” (4/21/25 The Atlantic)
Vanessa honored as one of 25 innovators leading the charge to end the loneliness epidemic, a first-of-its-kind event by Reimagine and author Allison Gilbert. (4/17/25 Reimagine Making Connections)
Vanessa Elias shares lasting ripple effect of block parties in “The Rise, Fall, and Power of Block Parties, Explained.” (12/13/24 Strong Towns)
"A block(buster) idea"
Be the Change: Costco members find ways to improve others’ lives – Vanessa featured in Costco Connection (December 2024)
As part of Dr. Vivek H. Murthy’s "Recipes for Connection" initiative, Block Party USA is a featured resource that supports building social connection through gathering. (November 2024, Office of the U.S. Surgeon General website)
David Burton, county engagement specialist for University of Missouri Extension, features Vanessa and BPUSA in “Block parties are good for us! Organize yours now.” (9/28/24 Springfield Daily Citizen)
Vanessa’s Letter to the Editor “Come to the Volunteer Fair — It’s Good for Your Mental Health” (9/19/24 Good Morning Wilton)
Neighboring 101 online block party featuring guest speaker Vanessa Elias (9/19/24)
Vanessa and her Block Party USA Back-to-School Challenge are featured in “Back to School, Back to Connection: Spotlight on Wilton, Connecticut” (Unplug Collaborative blog)
Block Party USA Announces 2024 Back-to-School Challenge! Now…until September 30, 2024! (8/14/24)
Building Stronger Neighborhoods, One Block Party at a Time – Block Party USA brings neighbors together for the common good, through good old-fashioned fun. Here’s how you can, too. (7/10/24 The Epoch Times)
Vanessa Elias – How to Throw a Block Party and Why You Should, plus her free guide and regular Zooms to help you make a block party happen (6/15/24 The Plural of You podcast with Josh Morgan)
Block Party USA is featured as an organization creatively trying to balance giving kids individual freedom and a stable, tight-knit community. (6/6/24 The Boston Globe)
Wilton’s 2024 Block Party Weekends Return to Promote Neighborhood Connections and Children’s Free Play (5/31/24 Good Morning Wilton)
Block Party USA announces Block Party Weekends! June 8–9, 2024 and September 7–8, 2024 (5/30/24)
“Rebuild Social Trust: Weaving A New, Inclusive Social Fabric" featuring Vanessa Elias at We Give Summit 2024 (5/8/24)
Lenore Skenazy, Jonathan Haidt, and Vanessa at The Anxious Generation art installation by artist Dave Cicirelli. (March 2024, New York City)
Vanessa shares her story and how it led to Block Party USA in a PechaKucha-style presentation with 20 slides, 20 seconds on each. (3/5/24 Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute)
Vanessa Elias facilitates roundtable discussion about mattering and our achievement culture, hosted by Weston Human Services. (1/29/24 and 2/5/24 Weston Library)
“I convened a meeting today in Norwalk of groups that are working on combating social isolation and loneliness.” (12/9/23 Senator Chris Murphy Instagram)
Sen. Chris Murphy hosts roundtable in Norwalk to combat loneliness where community leader Vanessa Elias shared her Block Party USA passion project.(12/9/23 The Hour)
Vanessa and NYT bestselling author Jennifer Breheny Wallace at Never Enough book party. (Sept 2023)
Wilton’s Big Block Party Weekend is featured as a powerful tool for positive change in NYT bestseller Never Enough.
Vanessa and her Block Party USA initiative in “How (and Why) to Throw a Block Party.” (7/11/23 Let Grow)
Block Party USA is “Kindling Hope with a Charcoal Grill” and Vanessa featured as a community weaver. (6/14/23 Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute)
Vanessa’s initiative to build community through block parties in a new book. (5/12/23 Wilton Bulletin)