TUCSON, Ariz. — Tucson's Ward 3 councilman Paul Durham is launching a neighborhood engagement series. It is one of a number of projects that Ward 3 has started in the hopes to assist residents and neighborhoods adapting to the pandemic.
“With the pandemic it's been a little challenging, because of the needs of social distance for some of the neighborhoods to find ways to continue to be engaged. So we wanted to provide the neighborhood series with resources, tools, and education about some of the ways that they are be able to continue to do that with because of the pandemic,” said Ward 3 council aide Matt Kopec.
With the webinar series Ward 3 is launching, they will discuss topics like using different types of social media to connect and plan events to connect with one another safely.
“Each neighborhood is different. They have their own character and unique needs and things like that. So there's no one size fits all for what a neighborhood might want to do. So we want to give them as much information and tools as possible,” said Kopec.
Those tools include tutorials on email listservs and ideas for COVID-friendly activities.
“Getting out, walking together. Some of the ideas we were throwing around are like parades or things in the park that are, again socially distant and people are masked up. So people can get out and make sure they’re keeping in touch and meet new neighbors,” said Kopec.
In total, Ward 3 has nine scheduled webinars that are set to equip neighborhoods with ways to cope - lifting neighbors' spirits during this pandemic.
“Through the pandemic, you know, our word office has tried to be out there, visible, engaged and working with the community,” said Kopec.
The first webinar is set for Thursday evening.