Connect the Dots

This season of giving, we’re celebrating our 5th anniversary by giving back to you! ???? We’re thrilled to offer FREE access to our Introduction to Inclusive & Equitable Community Engagement Training—a two-part series designed to empower you with the tools to enhance your outreach and engagement efforts! ? Session 1: Community Engagement Strategy Gain a solid understanding of community engagement, building trust, and co-creating effective outreach strategies that work. ? Session 2: Shaping Your Tactics & Closing the Loop Learn how to design impact-driven engagement tactics, with an emphasis on inclusion and community accountability. Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your engagement strategies, these sessions will provide you with valuable, practical insights. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from the experts—free to all! https://lnkd.in/e2s-tBhi #FiveYearsCountlessConnections

Five years ago, we set out to transform how communities engage with decisions that impact them. Today, we’re proud to reflect on our journey — one built on values that drive real change and foster authentic connections. Our values guide everything we do: ? Impact-Driven: Connecting every interaction to key decisions, ensuring participants see their input shape the outcomes. ?? Inclusive: Creating access for all voices to be heard, especially those who are often marginalized. ?? Creative: Designing tailored, approachable experiences that meet communities where they are. ?? People-First: Building trust through accountability, authenticity, and respect for every community member. ?? Transparent: Keeping the process open, clear, and accessible — showing participants how their feedback leads to change. Thank you to all the communities, partners, and participants who have been part of our journey. Here’s to the next chapter of creating stronger, more inclusive, and impactful engagement. #FiveYearsCountlessConnections

As we celebrate our 5 year anniversary in the US, travel with us into the archives and reflect on how Connect the Dots began—from our roots in Dublin 10 years ago, to five years thriving in Philly. ?????????? What started as a Fulbright project to reimagine urban engagement quickly turned into something bigger. From our first communal dinner in Dublin to projects with city leaders to community activists, we’ve always believed in the power of collaboration. In 2019, we brought that passion to Philadelphia, building partnerships and crafting inclusive, equitable engagement processes. Today, we’re proud to work with clients across the Mid-Atlantic and beyond, amplifying voices that often go unheard. Read on to learn more about our origin story! bit.ly/3YWSHwL #FiveYearsCountlessConnections

?? Exciting News! ?? We are thrilled to share some exciting news! Connect the Dots is celebrating our 5th anniversary in Philadelphia with a remarkable honor. We have received the IAP2 USA Core Values Award in the Creativity and Innovation category for the Framing the Future of the Roundhouse project ?? This recognition, awarded alongside the City of Philadelphia Department of Planning and Development, highlights our commitment to collaboration, equity, and meaningful community engagement. As we celebrate our 5th anniversary in Philadelphia, we’re proud to continue amplifying community voices in shaping our city’s future. A big thank you to our amazing team and everyone involved in this project! Together, we're creating inclusive and vibrant environments for all. Join us in our celebration and stay tuned for more stories and milestones throughout the year! https://lnkd.in/exXkJxbw

Connect the Dots is heading to Ottawa, Canada this week for the IAP2 Canada (International Association for Public Participation) conference! CtD’s CEO & Founder, Marisa Denker and CtD’s Principal Sylvia García-García will be participating and are excited to connect with diverse colleagues to share and learn about community engagement projects around the world. If you’re also attending the conference, be sure to connect with Marisa and Sylvia! See you there! #iap2NACOttawa #communityengagement #publicengagement #civicengagement #inclusiveplanning?

Connect the Dots is gearing up for the Mpact 2024 Conference here in Philly! CtD’s CEO & Founder, Marisa Denker will be moderating a panel on Tuesday, October 22 with Rochelle Brahalla and Anne K. of New York City Department of Transportation, Jessica Stanton of Stanton Global Communications, and Shoshana Akins from Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission This interactive session will underscore how equitable engagement processes are necessary to drive equitable outcomes and illustrate how to integrate equitable engagement into your own projects and organizations. ?? Find us at the public square / exhibitors area Mon and Tues afternoon to grab a fun treat and experience our engagement style via our Popcorn&Postcards Pop Up! Learn more about the session: https://lnkd.in/emRsb5Zm #MpactPhilly

The Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association’s Annual Conference #APAPA24 is this weekend in Erie PA! You can catch CtD Principal, Sylvia García-García and CtD Project Manager, Stephanie Fuentes at the conference! On October 13, 2024? from 3:30 - 4:45 pm, Stephanie will be on a panel with Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission's Shoshana Akins, Alyson Dressman, AICP, and Kendra Nelson discussing DVRPC’s Supporting Communities Project in the session “Supporting Communities: Bridging the Gap between Underserved Communities and Transportation Improvements” On October 14, 2024 at 2:00pm, Sylvia and Stephanie will share conflict mitigation strategies and techniques in the session “Managing Conflict Continued: Conflict Management in Action” and on October 15, 2024 at 10:15am, you can learn about effective strategies for engaging communities without breaking the bank in our session “Impactful Community Engagement on a Budget” We can’t wait to discuss our work on the Supporting Communities project and equip planners with strategies for effective conflict resolution and budget-friendly engagement tools. If you’re attending the Conference, show up at one of our panels or sessions! #APAPA24 #Planning #APA #APA_PA_Chapter #ConflictManagement #ConflictGuide #Toolkit #Guide #PublicEngagement

???Did you catch our harvest of highlights? ???The CtD team is expanding! Get to know our growing team, what we've been up to, and where to find us next. Read the quarterly newsletter here: https://conta.cc/47Pklj3

Ever seen a snack cart change the way we travel? ???For Reimagining Regional Rail, Connect the Dots helped SEPTA understand barriers to using the Regional Rail system, as well as opportunities available through service improvements. One of the tools CtD used was a custom-built ‘engagement snack cart,’ to connect with communities directly. Check out our case study to see how we connected with over 10,000 individuals and got input that will help make Regional Rail more equitable, inclusive, and seamless: https://lnkd.in/eMZqB_sf

ICYMI we will be out again for our last #popup this Sunday, September 8th between 10:30AM and 1PM at True Vine Church Philadelphia in the #Wissinoming neighborhood of #Philadelphia. What would you like to see included in the #masterplan for the #FrankfordBoatLaunch? #communityengagement #parksandopenspace #delawareriver