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Laying the Foundation for Social Change: How to Connect and Organize Your Community Before Crisis Strikes

Did Noah build the ark before the flood, or as the rain came down?

The most resilient communities aren't the ones that just got lucky when a crisis struck. They are the ones where neighbors organized themselves long before, building relationships across differences, sharing skills and resources, and cultivating their People Power to resist and change the threats they face. Whether that crisis is a natural disaster, violent occupation, systemic injustice, or something else, communities that have already built trust, cooperation, and common stories are more likely to respond with intention and care.

In this 3-hour interactive, participatory workshop, we will:

  1. Explore the concept of a “connected community” and why it matters

  2. Practice Circles as an easy tool for sharing stories, identifying community needs, and building relationships

  3. Experiment with Asset Mapping as a way for neighbors to identify and share skills, passions, and resources

  4. Introduce Neighborhood Mapping as a tool to map resources, challenges, and potential partners in a neighborhood

This workshop is designed to give you a simple but practical toolbox you can immediately use to help neighbors in your community build trust, find common values, and start practicing mutual aid and cooperation. We will be drawing on wisdom and skills from asset-based community development, peace circles, years of community organizing experience, and the recent nonviolent community response to federal occupation in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN to equip and motivate you to start organizing your community now so that you are ready when crisis strikes.

In order to protect the safety of participants and organizers, this workshop will not be recorded. The slides and resources will be shared with all who register. 

This training is part of a series of workshops preparing people to organize for justice, resist authoritarianism, and build a better tomorrow. Check out other workshops here.

Interested in inviting Peace Catalyst to host a workshop or training in your own community? Learn more here.

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April 12

We Can Only Change the World Together: Organizing Skills to Find Your People and Build a Movement

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May 10

Nonviolent Communication for Violent Times: Practicing Care, Connection, and Empathy in Struggles for Justice