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.
Participate in our Upcoming Community of Practice Conversation
Creating Cultures of Belonging through Brave Leadership
Date: March 25, 2025 (1:00 - 2:00 pm ET)
Speaker: Emma Pears
Register by completing the form below. Attendees will receive a calendar invitation and a Zoom link a week prior to the call.
Join us for a conversation in which we will explore the leadership characteristics that are essential for nurturing well-being and a renewed sense of belonging to our communities. We'll delve into reflections on how leaders can prioritize human connection, empathy, and collective care.
This session will examine practical strategies for building inclusive environments where everyone feels valued and welcomed. We'll discuss how leaders can cultivate trust, find common ground, and foster belonging. Discover why brave leadership is essential to build more equitable, caring, and connected futures.
About Emma Pears
Emma is the Founder and CEO of SELFA Children's Charity based in Yorkshire, England. Over the last two decades she has campaigned on a range of social issues including access to services for families living in rural communities and children and young people’s mental health. This is deeply rooted in her own experience as a parent of a child with mental health support needs and emotionally based school avoidance.
In 2024 she won the Rank Memorial Award which will enable her to spend a month this summer travelling to Canada and New York to visit projects to learn more about leadership, belonging and the power and potential of communities to positively impact on complex issues. She hopes to learn how local changemakers turn ideas to support their community into a reality and take this back to the UK for future development programmes.
Originally from Belfast, Emma is a Health Equity Fellow for the NHS and a spokesperson for Sound Delivery Media where she uses her lived experience and expertise to address social and health inequalities.
She is also one of Big Issues top 100 Changemakers of 2025.
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Countries
Practitioners
Meet Your Community of Practice Facilitator
Jorge Garza - 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 1,100 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.
