Dear Friends, Happy October! September flew by at a record pace, and I’m somehow already feeling the holiday hectic. In an effort to “cope ahead,” I’ve blocked out (at least) two days a month for the rest of the year when I will have no meetings, appointments, or sessions scheduled. This way, I have some buffer days built in, and I can use those days as catch-up days or anything last-minute that I need to schedule. These buffer days are key in maintaining my well-being and

The last two weeks have been tough ones in America and both kids’ and adults’ nervous systems have all been suffering as a result. We all desperately need more outside time and real life connections and less technology and news.

Block Party USA Announces 2025 Back-to-School Challenge! Now…until September 28, 2025 (National Good Neighbor Day!)

One of the biggest gifts we can give ourselves and our families is neighborhood connection. A simple block party (micro-local neighborhood gathering) is the start for mutual support, joy, belonging, and play!

If you are in Massachusetts, I hope that you can join me on Monday, July 7th at 6pm for the 2025 New England Connection Expo where we will discuss actionable evidence-based practices to build community connection!

I invite you to join me over zoom this Thursday, June 26th from 3:00-3:30pm ET to learn more, find out how to keep it simple, and ask any questions you have about organizing a block party this summer!

Dear Friends, I hope this finds you all well, maintaining your sanity, and excited for summer! Even with just one kid left at home, I find the end of the school year to be exhausting so I am looking forward to things slowing down. As you know, my goal is to make organizing a block party (neighborhood gathering!) easy for you. So, I’m pleased to share that we now have a fun ready-made block party invite form! Open the pdf, simply enter your block party details, print, and di

Dear Friends, I’m hoping you can join me virtually for one or both free events next week! I’m pleased to join SFCxUS (Smartphone Free Childhood x US) for a community discussion on Monday, May 5th on how to host a block party this summer! Block parties are an excellent way to build community and foster independent free play within your neighborhood this summer! Zoom Discussion - May 5th - Noon EST We hope you'll join us! Looking forward to this discussion, which applies to p

Thrilled to be one of 25 innovators featured — join me this Thursday! Dear Friends, I'm thrilled to be one of 25 innovators being recognized this Thursday by Reimagine and author Allison Gilbert for my Block Party USA work combatting the loneliness epidemic! I am so honored to be part of this remarkable group of humans! I really hope that you can join us on Thursday, April 17 at 1pm ET / 10am PT to hear 25 changemakers discuss each of our pioneering work to build and nurtur

Dear Community, Play, Human, and Fun Enthusiasts! I hope this finds you doing ok. No matter your political leanings, it’s rough out there. Many feel powerless, emotions are high, moods are low, and relationships we care about are being sacrificed. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We are all so much more than our politics and we need to focus on our common ground as Americans, as humans living our short (and sometimes shorter) lives on this earth. We need to build our soci

Dear Community, Play, Human, and Fun Enthusiasts! A big welcome to all of our new Block Party USA subscribers! We now have neighbors from 43 states (and multiple countries!) signed up. Together, each in our own neighborhoods, streets and buildings, we will create connection, community and a life worth living. We are only missing Maine, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming! Please let me know if you reside in one of those states and/o

Dear Community, Play, and Fun Enthusiasts, HAPPY AUGUST! This month, I will hold weekly Block Party USA Zooms as it’s PRIME block party planning season! I’m busy. Why should I bother? Increase your sense of belonging Desperate to get your kids off technology? Find neighborhood playmates for your children (yay-neighborhood free play!) Meet and connect with your neighbors Get outside, make friends and have fun Opportunity for face-to-face connection and conversation Meet som

Dear Fellow Americans (and my Play, Community, Human, and Fun Enthusiasts!) YOU DON'T NEED ME TO TELL YOU THAT IT'S NOT GOING WELL. If we continue on this trajectory, it's a disaster for us all. Our best-intended actions have made things worse, and they are hurting each and everyone of us. It’s not about “the other side.” Our identity and belonging don’t need to rest on a political party, and it’s actually healthier if they don’t. They rest best on our humanity as Americans

Dear Play, Community, Human, and Fun Enthusiasts, THANKS FOR JOINING BLOCK PARTY USA! With summer now in full swing, there is no better time to have a block party! Each road, building, or neighborhood chooses their own day and time. Whether you’re a block party veteran or new to your neighborhood, let’s cultivate a culture of showing up for one another in countless ways! Gather your neighbors, fill the coolers, dust off the lawn chairs – and keep it simple and “old fashion

Dear Play, Community, Human, and Fun Enthusiasts, IT'S TIME - BLOCK PARTY PLANNING SEASON! Ready to plan your Block Party, but have questions? Wondering if there are ways to keep it simple? Come join for ideas, inspiration, and Q&A! Block Party USA is a free, actionable cure for our country’s loneliness, social isolation, divisiveness, and the youth mental health crisis. Plan your block party and get others to do the same! Jun 17, 2024 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Cana

Dear Play, Community, Human, and Fun Enthusiasts, IT'S TIME - BLOCK PARTY PLANNING SEASON! Ready to plan your Block Party, but have questions? Wondering if there are ways to keep it simple? Come join for ideas, inspiration, and Q&A! Block Party USA is a free, actionable cure for our country’s loneliness, social isolation, divisiveness, and the youth mental health crisis. Plan your block party and get others to do the same! May 10, 2024 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Cana

Dear Community Weavers and Well-Being Catalysts, THIS JUST IN: I am thrilled to share an update that Block Party USA has just been included in Jonathan Haidt’s resources for his soon-to-be-released book "The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness." TOMORROW, I’m excited to host a 30-minute conversation to jump-start your planning and show you how easy (and free!) it is to make a gathering happen in your buildings, st

Dear Community Weavers and Well-Being Catalysts, It’s officially SPRING which means that we are kicking off block party season! Next week, I’m excited to host a 30-minute conversation to jump-start your planning and show you how easy (and free!) it is to make a gathering happen in your buildings, streets, sidewalks, and yards. The March Block Party USA prep Monday, March 25th at 12-12:30pm EST Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85938580782 Meeting ID: 859 3858