Our Community of Practice at a Glance
The aim of this Neighbourhood Learning Community of Practice (NLC CoP) is to develop a dynamic network of practitioners that are intentionally working together to develop more connected, vibrant, and resilient neighbourhoods.
By joining this unique community of practice you will connect and collaborate with a diverse network of practitioners that share resources, programs, policies, and best practices for building belonging and strengthening social infrastructure in neighbourhoods.
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Countries

Practitioners
Resource Library
2024
Our conversations focused on the role of social infrastructure to strengthen belonging and foster more equitable outcomes in communities. Our theme for 2025 will be announced in late January. In the meantime, you can contact us if you'd like to host or co-host a Neighbourhood Learning Community of Practice session in 2025.
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October 2024 - The Role of Neighbourhood Associations in Building Belonging (Passcode $gQ4yT.0) | In collaboration with Jenna Petersen, Neighborhood Impact Coordinator at Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity
- June 2024 - Planning for Diversity: Social Infrastructure in Smaller Canadian Communities (Passcode UM!sQK3) | In collaboration with Ryan Lok, PhD in Planning Candidate. University of Waterloo
- April 2024 - Shifting Policies, Practices, and Conditions for Belonging: Exploring the Action Guide for Building Socially Connected Communities (Passcode r^1Y3U&7) | In collaboration with Foundation for Social Connection
- February 2024 - A Practical Way to Celebrate Local Wisdom and Increase Social Connectedness | In collaboration with Life.School.House
2023
- November 2023 - Cambridge Neighbourhood Development - A Municipal Model for Supporting Place-Based Change
- September 2023 - Rethinking Indigenous Engagement - An Introduction to a Two-eyed Seeing Approach
- August 2023 - Centring Equity at the Table in Community Building
- May 2023 - Failure is The Condiment That Gives Success its Flavour
- March 2023 - Building Inclusive Neighbourhoods - Where and How to Start
- January 2023 - Engaging Vertically - Lessons Learned from the City of Toronto and City of Vancouver
2022
Meet Your Community of Practice Facilitator
Jorge Garza - Associate Director, Communities Building Belonging
Jorge (he/him/il) is leading a growing Canada-wide, asset-based movement that supports municipalities, institutions, and individuals to increase the collective sense of belonging. At Tamarack, he is excited to engage with more than 7,000 learners and over 900 local champions in making community belonging a policy priority in Canada. Previously, Jorge worked at the Metcalf Foundation, where he supported the development of its poverty reduction program. He also worked at the McConnell Foundation, where he contributed to the development of its place-based portfolio and explored the role of philanthropy in cultivating a more equitable society.
Jorge is a realistic optimist who loves being in community. He believes in everyone’s potential to build just futures. Jorge brings a diverse background of experience in strategy development, program design, and urban policy. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Fondation Béati.