As a team of residents, we’ve had over 600 1:1 conversations with other community members, listening to find themes of what people are struggling with, what strengths we have, and what we can collectively do about it. From this data, our programs are chosen and developed. During the pandemic, we worked together to provide food security in our neighborhoods. When we could gather again, the need for youth mental health developed into a multi-pronged program led by youth. Case navigation came next– the most requested service in our conversations– led by long-time residents with mental health backgrounds or informal experience connecting neighbors to existing resources. Our training program supports residents’ potential to achieve their own wellbeing through leadership, advocacy, and participation in programs that work toward health equity.

Commún employs community organizing as the vehicle for community liberation because it is the most effective tool for justice across human history. At Commún, Community organizers are paid and trained in organizing practices including focus groups, listening sessions, tabling, and 1:1s to understand our community’s needs and strengths, build power, design and lead programming, and work toward community leadership and systemic change.