
WE ARE CALLED TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS!
We are called to build stronger community wherever we find ourselves, and Northeast wants to see that happen. And that is why we created Hey, Neighbor!
We want to encourage our community to go out and build community starting in their own neighborhoods. For some, this will be inviting neighbors over for dinner. But for others, that may mean throwing a block party, and that’s where our team comes in.
We want to come alongside you in the planning and throwing of your block party, in order to see community built in your neighborhood!
How It Works
The Northeast Hey, Neighbor! team will provide:
- An 8 burner gas grill
- Tables and chairs
- Tents
- Downloadable and editable invitation template
You and your neighbors provide:
- The Food/Drinks/Condiments/Utilities
- The Advertising
- The People
- The Fun!
Our Hey, Neighbor! Ministry runs from June through September each year, but don’t let that stop you from connecting with your neighbors all throughout the year!
Steps to Hosting a Hey, Neighbor! Block Party
Step 1: Sign up as a block party host
One of our Coordinators will contact you & go over what you can expect throughout the remainder of the planning process. The Coordinator will be there for you every step of the way!
Step 2: Determine scope of the block party
- If your entire neighborhood is small and you want to invite everyone, go for it!
- If you’d rather keep the occasion more intimate and with neighbors who live within a closer vicinity, that’s fine, too – if at the end of the day you’ve built more community in your neighborhood, the block party’s purpose will be served!
Step 3: Talk to your neighbors!
- Knowing your neighbors is absolutely not a prerequisite to hosting a block party!
- The goal in this step is to introduce yourself to as many neighbors as you can and ask them if they would be interested in helping you host a block party, because the idea is for you to plan this together – not on your own!
Step 4: Collaborate with neighbors to make the event your own
- Pick a potential date for the Hey, Neighbor! block party and discuss other details like food, games, central location for the party, and anything else you want to include in your block party!
- Remember that Northeast is providing the trailer of supplies including chairs, tables, tents, grills, and a bounce house (if desired), but the rest of this party is yours to own and to plan with your neighbors.
- Creating a sign-up sheet for food, drinks, games, music, etc., may make planning your party easier. The website signupgenius.com allows you to create a sign-up list for pretty much anything!
Step 5: Reserve the date
Once you and the planning team have chosen a date, contact your Coordinator to reserve the date. Dates available June through September.
- Your Coordinator will check to see if one of our trailer drivers is available on that date and then reserve the date in the calendar for you.
- If your desired date is already taken or there are no drivers available to go out on that date, your Coordinator can propose some alternatives to take back to your planning committee, or you are free to continue planning the party without the use of the Hey, Neighbor! equipment.
Step 6: Obtain municipality approval
- Each city has their own process for approving block parties, so follow the guidelines outlined by the city in which you live.
- Your Coordinator can assist you with this if needed, but once the party has been approved by the city, you can move forward with the final step!
Step 7: Spread the word!
- Use one of our pre-designed invitation templates (which you can get from your Coordinator), or you can make your own!
- Go door to door and personally handing out the invitation.
- Start a neighborhood Facebook group or utilize your neighborhood app that would allow you to communicate with neighbors in a controlled environment.
- Keep in mind, however, that not everyone is going to be on Facebook or using the app, so it would still be recommended to extend a personal invitation to those within the vicinity of the invite radius.
- Create a Facebook invitation for the event and hand select who you want to invite. For assistance with creating a Facebook event, contact your Coordinator.
Next Steps
If you’ve read over the “Steps to Hosting a Hey, Neighbor!” block party and have prayerfully considered getting involved, then take the next step of registering as a block party host! Click on the button below to complete the brief registration process and get your party in the works!
Contact Us
If you have additional questions about the Hey, Neighbor! ministry, the registration process, or anything else not covered here, please don’t hesitate to contact the Hey, Neighbor! ministry team at [email protected]