August will be here before we know it, and with it comes the nationwide gathering that neighbors across our country refer to as National Night Out (NNO) that residents typically celebrate on the first Tuesday night of August.

In Church Row and Walnut Neighborhoods, people who call these neighborhoods "home" love to showcase their neighborhood as well as offer food and fun at National Night Out! It is also known to be a time when the Mayor, City Council members, and other City staff members including the Waterloo Police Department and Waterloo Fire Department will greet and educate citizens about community safety.

Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity has been an invited partner at some of these celebrations in recent years. Below are some pictures from Walnut's NNO gathering in 2023 and Church Row's NNO celebration in 2024.

Walnut's gathering in 2023 featured a UNI Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center block party, an amazing meal, tours of the 415 Walnut Street church building, and a super fun kid zone.

In Church Row in 2024, the residents planned a NNO party that had live music, food, giveaways, and a special old car show for people to walk by and view.

I've enjoyed sharing about the great work of residents, including these National Night Out gatherings and the importance of neighborhood social connections, with other partner organizations across the U.S. and Canada. It's been really neat to see people in a diversity of cities and neighborhoods inspired to consider doing a National Week of Belonging in Canada as a result of these inspiring stories. Keep up the great work, everybody! If you get invited to a future National Night Out gathering...perhaps consider attending!