Webinar recap: Innovative community programs to build social connection in housing
Learning from community-based organizations about in-building social programming
On March 6, 2026, Hey Neighbour Collective and United Way BC’s Seniors’ Housing Working Group co-hosted the webinar, titled “Innovative Community Programs to Build Social Connection in Housing.” This session was the first in a three-part webinar series focused on building social connection in housing.
We were pleased to welcome nearly 250 attendees from across Canada as our incredible speakers highlighted examples of innovative, community-driven programs that have been implemented in housing across BC. The webinar explored the important role that community-based organizations play in fostering social connection and community in housing, the successes and challenges these programs may encounter, and key lessons learned.
Thank you to all our speakers for sharing their expertise:
- Stacy Barter, Executive Director at Building Resilient Neighbourhoods and Director of Learning & Evaluation at Hey Neighbour Collective
- Jenny Konkin, President and Co-Founder at Whole Way House
- Claudine Matlo, Executive Director at West End Seniors Network
“[This webinar] was incredibly fun, informative and inspiring.”
Attendee
Resources from the presentations
The following resources were discussed or shared by various participants and presenters during the webinar.
Whole Way House & BC Non-Profit Housing Association
How to build healthy staff culture (a free, 5-module online training series)
Hey Neighbour Collective
- Practice guides and toolkits
- Five-year learning report (2019-2024)
- Article – ‘Silver tsunami’ or golden opportunity? by Rob Wipond
Building Resilient Neighbourhoods
- Connect & Prepare program
- Article – Connect & Prepare should be in every building
- Article – Everyone gets emergencies
West End Seniors’ Network
- Article – Practical and emotional supports are “Close to Home” (Exploring how WESN’s “Close to Home” program can have big impacts on aging in place.)
- Where Social Connection Becomes Care (A digital storytelling project highlighting the Oasis model, featuring West End Seniors’ Network as an OASIS delivery partner at Roddan Lodge.)
“I enjoyed [this webinar] and got lots of ideas; I’m looking forward to the next one in April.”
Attendee
The next webinar in the series, The Benefits of Being an Enabling Host, will be on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Pacific. We hope to see you there!
