Host a Porch Party. Build community.

UA Porch Parties seek to promote a sense of belonging in our community by encouraging, supporting, and celebrating small neighborhood gatherings. This program is a partnership between EQUAL UA & City of UA Community Relations Committee. Registration opens on August 1 and closes on September 30.

HOW IT WORKS

UA residents are invited to host a meaningful gathering that’s simple and brings people together.

Free party packs included!

AUGUST 1
REGISTRATION OPENS

UA community members can sign up through our website.

EARY AUGUST
GET A PARTY PACK!

Party packs are available for pick-up at any of the UA Library locations or at the UA Community Center by asking at the front desk.

SEPTEMBER 30
REGISTRATION CLOSES

Registrants are encouraged to host their parties before October 15.

OCTOBER 15
PARTY SEASON ENDS

Parties conclude and registrants complete after-party survey

PARTY PACKS

Pick up your party pack at any of the UA Library locations or at the UA Community Center by asking at the front desk.

If you are unable to pick up, please email equalupperarlington@gmail.com.

Party packs include:

  • Yard sign (where you can include details for your own party)

  • Invitations (25 per party pack)

  • UA Trivia (courtesy of the UA Historical Society)

  • Snacks to share and lemonade packets

  • Napkins, name tags, markers, chalk for kids, and ideas for throwing a successful party and for building community

WHY PORCH PARTIES MATTER

Exploring deeper connections with the people who live and work in your neighborhood can have surprising benefits for you, your neighbors, and the community.

Porch Parties create connection.

UA Porch Parties is an extension of the Center for HumanKindness’s Kindness Close to Home program, which seeks to help more people feel that they belong by encouraging, supporting, and celebrating small neighborhood gatherings.

This is an opportunity to build closer relationships.

While the big events take place in our community, it’s often difficult for people to make meaningful and lasting connections in big crowds. This is an opportunity for smaller and more intimate gatherings with the people who live right down the street.

Porch Parties make connecting accessible.

With the party packs and Equal UA’s support, UA residents can facilitate meaningful, accessible, low-stakes, easy-to-throw gatherings that promote continued connection.  This can have a cascade effect that will lead to an increased sense of belonging, safety, empathy, and compassion. 

Engage vulnerable populations.

Some groups in our community are at greater risk for isolation, including the 20 percent of residents in UA who rent, adults without children, older adults, and new residents. With this initiative, we hope to infuse a culture of intentionality, encouraging participants to reach out to new people who have moved in and those they’ve never met.

Connected communities are stronger.

Socially connected communities are more prepared for and resilient in the face of disaster or divisive situations; they also experience greater economic prosperity and reduced levels of crime and violence. (Office of the U.S. Surgeon General)

Only 54% of UA residents feel like they belong.

Half of U.S. adults have experienced loneliness recently.

  • Loneliness can increase the risk of premature death as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.

  • Only 3 in 10 Americans know the names of most or all of their neighbors.

Social connection makes communities healthier.

  • Higher levels of connection can influence health-related behaviors; educational and economic achievement are even impacted by connection. (Office of the U.S. Surgeon General)

  • Socially connected communities are healthier, more trusting, safer, and more prosperous.

2024 PORCH PARTY PARTICIPATION