Appleton neighborhood, Jan. 29, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The city of Appleton is once again offering a free workshop series for its residents.
Those who are interested in working on projects that strengthen their neighborhoods are invited to participate.
“I think that neighborhoods are one of the most exciting places for a person to get involved. It can be the most partially meaningful kind of way to contribute to the world, because it’s your little corner of the world,” said Julie Filapek, Neighborhood Partners program manager at NeighborWorks Green Bay.
All of the workshops are hosted in the Appleton Public Library. Each workshop has two separate sessions.
Thursday’s workshop was titled “Organize Your Group for Effective Action.” The final session for that workshop is scheduled for Thursday, March 5 from 6:30-8 p.m.
The rest are named:
Develop and Communicate Your Neighborhood Identity
Session 1: Thursday, Feb. 12 from 5:30-8 p.m.
Session 2: Thursday, March 19 from 6:30-8 p.m.
Launch Your New Neighborhood Group
Session 1: Thursday, Feb. 19 from 5:30-8 p.m.
Session 2: Thursday, April 16 from 6:30-8 p.m.
Build Partnerships & Raise Funds
Session 1: Thursday, April 9 from 5:30-8 p.m.
Session 2: Thursday, May 14 from 6:30-8 p.m.
How has this impacted the community?
“For people who are participating in their neighborhoods, we have tracked and surveyed them over time, year after year, to see how that participation makes them feel, and we find that people who are involved in their neighborhood are connected to other people, feel more trusting of others,” said Filapek.
Filapek added those people also feel more positive about the future of their neighborhoods.
Olivia Galyon, community development specialist for the city of Appleton, said the city has seen increased participation in its neighborhoods.
“Definitely one of our targets, as Julie mentioned, is an increase in the number of neighborhood organizations that are registered, or some of revival of some that are maybe currently registered but haven’t had as much activity in recent years,” said Galyon.
She added currently, there are more than 20 registered neighborhood groups in the city.
Whether you want to learn how to start your own organization, or just learn about neighborhood involvement, there are still opportunities throughout the spring.
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