So long May-cember and hello American Summer!

Dear Friends,

Madness. It’s not just for March anymore – it’s for May too. “May-cember,” as it’s now referred to, is jam-packed with joyful but schedule-disrupting and time-consuming end-of-school-year concerts, field/sports days, graduations, and celebrations. 

It’s also full of end-of-year academic stress with teachers rushing through required curriculum, kids finishing up projects and taking finals, and parents straddling the reality of now with the many plans and coverages needed for summer. 

So it makes a lot of sense to me that May was deemed “Mental Health Awareness Month” back in 1949, even at a time when life was definitely simpler.

Post-pandemic, many of us have shifted our vernacular from mental health awareness to mental health action. Obviously, crushing stigma, educating people to know what signs to look for, and creating awareness are important. But all the awareness in the world won’t make the changes we need to be okay, so it is critical that we focus on actionable steps that each of us can take to improve our mental health and that of those around us. 

Our resiliency, as humans, rests on our social connections. Our ability to cope and navigate adversity and dark times depends heavily on our relationships and community support. We’ve lost so much of that, and it’s time to bring it back.

I have learned (over and over!) that doing things for and helping others (please note I’m not talking about my kids here) has been a lifesaver for me. It not only helps me get out of my own head and focus on other things, but it also fills my heart and gives me joy when I see how my actions help others and improve their lives. Research backs up this experience as helping others triggers the release of “feel-good” chemicals in the brain, like dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin.

My personal desire to connect with my neighbors prompted me to organize a block party, which has since grown into a nationwide movement that has improved countless lives. It has given me purpose and meaning to my life. The focus is on building a life worth living, and organizing a micro-local gathering with your neighbors is the perfect place for you to start.

And now with Memorial Day behind us, it’s the perfect time to start. We are in our first week of Block Party USA’s American Summer campaign! American Summer is a nationwide call to revive the forgotten American tradition of neighborhood block parties, and our modest goal is to have at least 250 block parties in every state across the country in honor of America’s 250th birthday (our not-so-modest goal is 250 in every town or city). The challenge runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with a special focus on July 4th weekend and America’s Potluck on July 5th. We have everything you need to make it happen. 

One of the easiest ways to get started is by grabbing a free American Summer Toolkit here and joining me for a Zoom Office Hours session. It’s a great way to see what throwing a micro-local gathering entails and get support along the way.

I am also sharing some important May toolkits from organizations like Mental Health America and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), where you can find more information and ideas.

Most importantly, if you or someone you know is in crisis or needs immediate, free, and confidential support, help is always available 24/7. Anyone can call or text 988, or text 741741.

For organizations or towns, the people you serve need you to remind them of these American traditions. They need the “permission” you offer just by introducing the campaign. Find your American Summer toolkit here.

For individuals, you are the one your neighbors have been waiting for. You have what it takes to make it happen. Your time is now. Find your American Summer toolkit here. 

PS: I hope you can join me later today at 6:30 pm ET / 3:30 pm PT for "Why We Weave: Making Community from Scratch," where I’ll be getting personal about my “weaving why.”

Here’s a little more information:

"Getting to know neighbors can be hard. Whether you just moved to a new neighborhood or you’ve noticed neighbors just aren’t talking to each other, it can be tough to take that first step to reach out. So how do you start weaving a community from scratch? In this edition of Weave’s storytelling series, “Why We Weave”, you’ll hear from Amy Schenkel, Madeleine Spencer, and Vanessa Elias, who each helped spark neighbor-to-neighbor connections in creative ways. They’ll share their personal journeys and what it takes to build community from the ground up."

You can register at:  https://cvent.me/n32m13?RefId=register

And ICYMI:

I was thrilled to get to chat with my friends Aaron and Charlotte of the US Chamber of Connection on their How We Connected podcast, where we talked about the simple power of bringing neighbors together. I was also thrilled that they both committed to organizing their first neighborhood event this summer. 😜

We explored how block parties help build connection, belonging, and trust at a time when so many people feel isolated and disconnected from their communities. The simplest gatherings, sharing food, music, conversation, and space, can create lasting impact for families, neighborhoods, and even our democracy.

As we approach America 250, I know this work matters more than ever. Strong communities don’t happen by accident. They grow with intention, from the ground up, when neighbors choose to know and support one another.

Have a listen, share your thoughts, and be inspired to organize a micro-local gathering for your neighbors!! ❤️🇺🇸 Listen here: How We Connected podcast