More than 60 people came together to make a difference tonight, like they have for multiple weeks before. They come together each week to hear a presentation from a representative of a local organization, learn about a resource they didn’t know about before, and explore community issues and how they can make an impact on those problems. 

They know that after they hear from the speaker, they’ll get to have meaningful conversations about their communities and how they can be the leaders in creating change. It’s week nine out of ten of the workshop series, so they take a moment to reflect on what they’ve learned and who they’ve met over the past three months. They’re eager to apply everything they’ve learned into their lives, and excited for the workshop to come back again next year so they can learn even more. 

I was fortunate enough to be one of these people participating in Building Leaders Building Communities (BLBC): a 10-week workshop series Habitat Kent hosts in partnership with Dwelling Place and other community organizations. The goal of its nationally designed curriculum is to engage and energize participants to increase their community impact. 

Each week, I could see the confidence and passion of the participants grow as we shared the problems we saw our communities facing and learned how we can be part of the solution. I felt it in myself as I became aware of more issues and shared with others what I know about the affordable housing crisis and how it affects residents in Kent County. Being able to share your passions and having people actively listen to you is empowering, and it makes you want to be that same resource for someone else. That’s how change really starts, and I could practically see it starting to happen right before my eyes. 

The program taught me more about working with other people who had different ideas, passions, and talents than me, which is a good thing when tackling community issues. It showed me that we need to listen and take into consideration other people’s feelings and thoughts on the problems we’re addressing to ensure needs are met and perspectives are heard. It also made something else clear to me: communities are precious and personal. They give us connection, stability, and identity. They’re a foundational part of who we are and our experiences. Each week, I walked away feeling inspired and touched by my fellow participants and their commitment to addressing issues close to their hearts. 

BLBC fits perfectly into Habitat’s mission of building homes, communities, and hope. Our work at Habitat isn’t just about building homes; it’s about creating vibrant communities whose residents can thrive. BLBC offers the opportunity for residents throughout the county to engage with like-minded people, complete strangers, and community leaders to cultivate relationships and build the skills needed to create a lasting impact. 

Want to be part of the change and be involved in BLBC’s next workshop series? Stay tuned to Habitat Kent and Dwelling Place for registration and workshop information!