Connected Communities: EMMA & Beechwood

08/03/2026

🌟 National Night Out is coming to Beechwood!

Join the Beechwood Neighborhood Coalition on Tuesday, August 5 for an evening of food, community, and important conversations about the future of our neighborhood.

This year's National Night Out will focus on safety in and around Grand Ave Park, featuring a special presentation from the City of Rochester on plans to enhance safety and revitalize one of Beechwood's most important community spaces.

🍽️ Dinner begins at 6:00 PM
📍 Covenant United Methodist Church
1124 Culver Road (Corner of Culver & Parsells)

National Night Out is more than an event, it's an opportunity for neighbors to connect, build relationships, and work together toward a stronger, safer Beechwood.

Bring your family, invite a neighbor, and join the conversation. We look forward to seeing you there!

08/01/2026

What an incredible day on Greeley/Rosewood Street!
Nearly 25 neighbors came together for a fun-filled Block Party as we celebrated community and connection!

The kids had an amazing time enjoying the obstacle course, games, and activities, while neighbors (both familiar faces and new residents) spent time getting to know one another and learning more about the Block Club. Big shout out our Block Ambassador Chrissy for leading the charge!

07/31/2026

What an incredible night at our second Neighborhood Business Pitch Competition! 🎉

Seven entrepreneurs stepped onto the stage with bold ideas, inspiring stories, and a vision for strengthening our community. Thank you to each contestant for your courage, preparation, and willingness to share your dream:
Mecca Crumity (Shootin Starzz Institute)
Ishmael & Hailey Cox (Zealous Builder Collective)
Dennis Opolentisima (The Forge Collective Youth Development Initiative)
Kathy Bilbo (JBS Aroma Cafe)
Angel Rodriguez (AR Events & Decor LLC)
Julian Foster (Autisti-Cuts @ Wade & Me Barbershop)
Janice Kpor (Ecina Cares)

Special thanks to Maisha Beard for serving as an incredible host and to Assunta Davidson of BRenewed for coaching our entrepreneurs throughout the competition.

The judges had an incredibly difficult job because every pitch was outstanding! Thank you to Kevin Graham, Gary Domenico, and Jen Byrnes for their thoughtful deliberation.

Congratulations to our winners:
🥇 Julian Foster – Autisti-Cuts @ Wade & Me Barbershop
🥈 Dennis Opolentisima– The Forge Collective Youth Development Initiative
🥉 Angel Rodriguez – AR Events & Decor LLC

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating neighborhood entrepreneurs and investing in local businesses. This is what community looks like. 💚💙

07/25/2026

What happens when nonprofits, schools, residents, funders, elected officials, and community leaders come together around a shared vision? Real neighborhood transformation.

Yesterday, we had the privilege of welcoming community partners, policymakers, funders, and stakeholders on a Neighborhood Bus Tour through Beechwood and EMMA to see that transformation firsthand.

Along the way, we visited the Neighborhood Hub, the Connect Lab, and a Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity home while hearing directly from some of the incredible partners helping make this work possible, including East High School, Dr. Iris J. Banister School 33, and 441 Ministries Beechwood, Inc.

The tour wasn't just about showcasing projects, it was about highlighting the power of collaboration. Lasting neighborhood change doesn't happen through one organization alone. It happens when schools, nonprofits, institutions, residents, businesses, and community leaders align around a common purpose and invest in one another.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and to the many partners working every day to help Beechwood and EMMA thrive. Together, we're building stronger neighborhoods and creating opportunities that will impact generations to come.

07/24/2026

What happens when bold ideas meet opportunity?

Join us for an evening of innovation, inspiration, and entrepreneurship as seven local entrepreneurs take the stage to pitch their businesses for a chance to win funding and accelerate their growth.

From food and wellness to youth development, events, and creative services, these entrepreneurs are building businesses that are making an impact in our community.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, investor, student, or simply enjoy supporting local talent, you'll leave inspired.

📅 Thursday, July 30
🕠 5:30–8:00 PM
📍 Connected Communities Neighborhood Hub: 616 N. Goodman Street

Admission is free, but registration is encouraged.
Reserve your seat today: bit.ly/ccbpc26

07/21/2026

Copeland Street is getting creative about safety!

Through the NIA Street Grant, Copeland Street Block Club residents came together for their Safety Lawn Sign Campaign Install Day. Neighbors enjoyed dinner and a sweet treat before installing their resident-designed safety signs throughout the block.

Be sure to check out their creative signs the next time you drive down Copeland Street…. and remember to slow down and help keep our neighborhood safe!

07/15/2026

Economic development is about more than buildings; it's about people.

We're honored to have our Executive Director, Dr. LaShunda Leslie-Smith featured in the Center for Regional Strategies' Stories from Economy Builders series, made possible by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.

In this story, Dr. Leslie-Smith shares Connected Communities' vision for the Greenwood Project and how neighborhood ownership, entrepreneurship, and intentional investment are helping build an economic ecosystem where wealth can grow and stay within the community.

Because when we invest in people, places, and opportunity, we don't just transform neighborhoods, we strengthen the regional economy.

🎥 Watch the full story and see how we're building community wealth together.

https://youtu.be/OJs9uBQnEK4?si=LxzClhBDMTnQJ3--

The Neighborhood Hub and Connect Lab are building the economy by fo...

07/14/2026

🌟 Help shape the future of your neighborhood.
Connected Communities is looking for passionate Beechwood and EMMA residents to join our team as Resident Ambassadors. If you love connecting with neighbors, solving problems, and making a real impact where you live, we'd love to hear from you.

This part-time opportunity offers:�
✅ $20/hour�
✅ Up to 15 hours per week�
✅ Professional development�
✅ Leadership experience�
✅ The opportunity to help strengthen your community from within

If you've been looking for a way to turn your passion into purpose, this is it.
📲 Apply today: bit.ly/raccapp

07/12/2026

What a day! 🎉

Yesterday more than 450 community members joined us for the very first Neighborhood Hub Courtyard Bash, including over 250 kids, for an afternoon filled with food, fun, and connection.

The petting zoo was a crowd favorite, featuring a wallaby, armadillo, bearded dragon, and other amazing animals. Families enjoyed lawn games, inflatable basketball, jump rope, co****le, line dancing, and delicious food from Taqueria Monterrey, Crew’s Grill, Netsin’s Ice Cream, and House of Whacks. We were also proud to welcome community partners who shared valuable resources and services with residents throughout the day.

For years, this celebration was held at Grand Avenue Park to bring awareness to the new Adventure Playground, where it began as our Fall Extravaganza and later evolved into our Summer Bash. This year marks an exciting new chapter. As we’ve transformed the Neighborhood Hub courtyard into a vibrant gathering space, it only made sense for this annual tradition to find its new home here.

The Neighborhood Hub courtyard was created for the community, a place where neighbors can gather, families can play, relationships can grow, and community comes to life. The Courtyard Bash is just one example of what’s possible, and we’re excited for this space to continue serving as a hub for connection, celebration, and belonging for years to come.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make our inaugural Courtyard Bash such a success. This is only the beginning. 💙

07/08/2026

🏡 A home built with accessibility in mind.
This REEL features one of the beautiful Beechwood Family Apartments, an ADA-compliant lower-level duplex thoughtfully designed with accessibility at its core, including a wheelchair-accessible ramp and other features that support independent living.

Projects like Beechwood Family Apartments reflect our commitment to one of our Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan (CNP) Housing Recommendations:
Build new homes—for sale and for rent—that are affordable for people of different incomes.

As a co-developer on this project, we're proud to help expand high-quality, inclusive housing options that strengthen the Beechwood neighborhood and create opportunities for residents of all abilities and income levels.

Because thriving neighborhoods begin with quality housing that everyone can access.