Conversations close to home
Community doesn’t look the same for everyone.
Maple Leaf is home to many families, and over the years the Maple Leaf Community Council has supported a lot of events built with children in mind. Those gatherings matter, and they’ll always be part of what we do. At the same time, we’ve heard from neighbors who were looking for something different. A place to gather that wasn’t centered on kids. A space to meet people, talk, and get to know one another more casually.
Love Your Neighbor grew out of that need.
Created by members of the Outreach Committee, this wintertime event was designed as a simple way for adults to come together. It’s intentionally low-key. A happy hour of sorts. No programming. No agenda. Just neighbors showing up, grabbing a drink, and spending time together.
We’ve hosted Love Your Neighbor at Project 9, alongside other seasonal gatherings supported by the Maple Leaf Community Council. Whether it’s winter or summer, the goal stays the same: create a welcoming space where people can show up as they are and feel part of the neighborhood.
What makes Love Your Neighbor special is that it didn’t come from a long-standing tradition. It came from neighbors noticing a gap and stepping up to fill it. The Maple Leaf Community Council supported the idea, helped with coordination and promotion, and made space for it to grow. The rest happened naturally.
This year marks the third year of Love Your Neighbor, and it continues to bring together people who may not have otherwise crossed paths. It’s a reminder that community doesn’t always need structure. Sometimes it just needs a place to sit, talk, and feel welcome.
If you’re interested in helping support Love Your Neighbor, there are easy ways to get involved. Whether that’s helping organize, being a friendly face at the event, or assisting with outreach, it’s one of the most approachable ways to step into community involvement.
Did you know?
More than 4,500 people attend Maple Leaf Community Council events each year, yet only about 5% of neighbors actively support the council financially. For just $3 a month, you help ensure gatherings like Love Your Neighbor can continue and that neighbors with new ideas have the support they need to bring them to life.