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September is Meet Your Neighbor Month!

Illustration of colorful houses, a bridge, and clouds promoting Meet Your Neighbor Month by the City of Cambridge Peace Commission.

 

Stories We Share: The Courage to Connect 

A month of events, activities, and conversations that bring our city closer, one neighbor at a time.

 

What is Meet Your Neighbor Month?

Meet Your Neighbor Month (MYNM) is an opportunity for you to gather with your neighbors and create community by joining an event hosted by the Cambridge Peace Commission or other City of Cambridge departments, or by hosting your own event. Connect in a way that works for you! Under the 2026 theme Stories We Share: The Courage to Connect, we are celebrating what makes Cambridge such a welcoming place for all.

How Did Meet Your Neighbor Month Start?

Built upon two nationwide efforts — Welcoming America’s “Welcoming Week and the “National Good Neighbor Day initiative, MYNM was inspired by the growing need to connect with each other. Coming together as a neighborhood reduces isolation and loneliness. By building connections with those around us, the Cambridge Peace Commission hopes to create safer, happier, and more resilient neighborhoods, where everyone feels like they belong.

How Is Your Neighborhood Defined?

Your “neighborhood” is however you choose to define it! It could be:

  • Your block, 

  • Your street, 

  • Your apartment building, 

  • Your workplace,

  • The area surrounding a nearby school or place of worship, 

  • Or anything else!

 

Click on an item to see the details, or click on the box in the upper-right corner of the map below to open the map in a new window and see a list of the events. (These are not organized by the Peace Commission or the City of Cambridge.) 

If you'd like to let us know about and post your event, fill out the Meet Your Neighbor Event Submission form (a Microsoft form)



Meet Your Neighbor Days is an invitation for you to plan something that can bring together your neighbors — in a way that works for you!

What can you do?

In addition to attending events, you can organize your own. An open house, neighborhood party, potluck, service project, neighborhood clean-up, or something else – whatever is fun and easy for you and your neighbors to plan and carry out. You can decide what works best in your own "neighborhood!" 

Resources that can help you plan!

There's also a long list of ideas and options on our Meet Your Neighbor Days fact sheet! 

For ideas, you can view a PDF with a listing of all of the 2023 events submitted by different people and groups in the community, and the listing includes date and time, location, the type of event, and any other details. You can also view the map of the 2024 events above. 

  • If you have questions or you'd like to let us know about your event, email us at peace@cambridgema.gov

Resources

FAQs for Meet Your Neighbor Month (MYNM)

Where can I find the Meet Your Neighbor Zine?

You can access it in two formats:

  • Printable Version
  • Large-text version

Is there guidance available for planning larger events?

You can access it in two formats:

  • Printable Version
  • Large-text version

Who can participate in MYNM?

Anyone can participate, including individuals, families, community groups, and organizations. Activities can be scaled to fit any level of participation.

Do I need special materials or resources?

No special materials are needed. The zine and planning guide offer simple, flexible ideas that can be adapted to your neighborhood's needs.

What kinds of events can I plan?

Events can range from small gatherings (like porch chats or shared walks) to larger community activities (such as block parties, neighborhood cleanups, or potlucks). The planning guide includes step-by-step suggestions for organizing bigger events.

What if I'm not comfortable hosting an event?

No worries! You can still participate through low-key activities, such as:

  • Saying hello to a neighbor you never met before
  • Sharing baked goods (ask your neighbor about allergens first!)
  • Supporting local mutual-aid efforts
  • Joining an existing neighborhood event

How do I make MYNM accessible for all neighbors?

The large-text versions of the zine and planning guide can help! You can also:

  • Choose locations that are easy to access
  • Offer quite or small group activity options
  • Be mindful of dietary, mobility, and sensory needs

Do I have to participate for the whole month?

No! Any amount of participation, whether it's one activity, one event, or multiple engagements, supports the spirit of the month.

 

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