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A collective impact alliance to foster social connection across CT
Connecticut Good Neighbor Day
Join us! Celebrate CT Good Neighbor Day locally within your community - in the manner that works best for you and your fellow community members
Designed as a place-based, local community model, CT Good Neighbor Day is intended to grow over time, with communities across Connecticut creating their own opportunities for connection, belonging, and collective action on (or on the days surrounding) September 28 - National Good Neighbor Day.
Good Neighbors, Great Communities: Our 2026 Gathering
Join us for the 2026 CT Good Neighbor Day event at UConn-Waterbury on Thursday, September 24, 2026
Good Neighbor Day launches in Waterbury in 2026 with 'Good Neighbors, Great Communities' - a community-building gathering that will educate, inspire, and impact the local community!
The CT Collaborative to End Loneliness, UConn Waterbury, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, United Way of Greater Waterbury, and the Connecticut Community Foundation are uniting to host this event which will bring together residents, college students, community-based organizations, and community leaders for a day of learning, connection, and hands-on service.
The day begins with a shared learning experience focused on social connection and community wellbeing, followed by a community lunch. In the afternoon, participants break into small groups and head out into Waterbury to take part in hands-on volunteer projects with local partners.
By combining education, relationship-building activities, and coordinated community action, CT Good Neighbor Day reinforces a simple but powerful idea: connection is a shared responsibility, and building stronger communities starts with showing up for one another.
Event Location: University of Connecticut, Waterbury Campus - 99 East Main St., Waterbury, CT 06702 - Multi-Purpose Room
Parking:
- Visitors may use the PayByPhone app to park in the UConn attached garage located at 55 North Elm Street.
- Download the PayByPhone parking app onto your phone.
- Upon arrival at the campus garage, enter your license plate and the time needed to park.
For more detailed instructions go to https://park.uconn.edu/visitors/waterbury/. Outdoor street level parking is also available next to the UConn campus. This lot is operated by LAZ and is not affiliated with UConn.
Program:
9:00 am - Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:20 am - Keynote Address - Kathy Taylor, President & CEO, Connecticut Community Foundation
9:40 am - Building Community Across Generations - Panel discussion led by Deb Bibbins
Panelists: Hannah Peterson (UConn graduate student), additional panelists coming soon
10:25 am - Volunteerism and Civic Engagement - Panel discussion led by Rick Brush
Panelists: Coming soon
11:00 am - Community Spotlight: Community building in action - Mental Health CT's Independence Center - Jazz Borst & member special guests
11:30 am - 12:30 pm - Lunch and Networking
1:00 - 3:00 pm - Attendees will break into (pre-selected and assigned) groups to engage in one of 5 different community service activities on or close to the UConn-Waterbury campus (see below)
Community Service Activities
OLLI Garden Maintenance
Family Sign-up Assistance and Gym Setup for Angel Tree program
Assemble Social Connection Kits for Isolated Older Adults
In collaboration with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, a team will travel to the OLLI Community Garden ('Fulton Farm') that provides food for local food banks and soup kitchens. Work will involve fall garden cleanup and related work.
Location: Upper Pine Street, Fulton Park, Waterbury
Assemble Social Connection Kits for Isolated Older Adults
Family Sign-up Assistance and Gym Setup for Angel Tree program
Assemble Social Connection Kits for Isolated Older Adults
In collaboration with For All Ages. a team will stay on the UConn campus and assemble social connection kits to be distributed to 300 isolated older adults in the Waterbury area.
Family Sign-up Assistance and Gym Setup for Angel Tree program
Family Sign-up Assistance and Gym Setup for Angel Tree program
Family Sign-up Assistance and Gym Setup for Angel Tree program
Some volunteers will help families sign up for the Salvation Army's annual Angel Tree program (if you speak Spanish, please let us know you are bilingual on the reg. form). Others will begin setting up the gym for this holiday season program (setting up tables, placing signs, taping the floor, etc.).
Location: Salvation Army, 74 Central Ave., Waterbury
Fall Cleanup for Older Adults in Need
Fall Cleanup for Older Adults in Need
Family Sign-up Assistance and Gym Setup for Angel Tree program
In collaboration with the Waterbury Senior Center, a team will be travel to the home of a nearby older adult in need of assistance with fall yard cleanup. In the event of rain, the team will assist with painting or other non-technical assistance at a nearby adult living community.
Location: TBD
Engaging Students for Success
Fall Cleanup for Older Adults in Need
Engaging Students for Success
In collaboration with the Children's Community School, volunteers will engage with students in meaningful ways, such as reading to them, supporting classroom activities, assisting with art or computer projects, and helping maintain organized, welcoming learning spaces.
Location: Children's Community School, 23 John St., Waterbury
Event Sponsored by
