Hi, I’m Leslie Anne. A city girl turned urban runaway working on my own version of happily ever after. I am in love with where I live. Arnprior is the perfect little town for me. We have fantastic restaurants, storefronts and beautiful green spaces. Oh and let’s not forget about our amazing museum. One thing I’ve learned in my nine years here is that it is the people and their commitment to our community that make it special.
Community Uniting Tip #1: Be A Good Listener!
Good listening skills are vital to developing strong community engagement. Creating an open and honest dialogue requires building trusting with those around you. Urban Runaway believes in the power of information sharing and has established a Heart-To-Heart communication process that brings people together for the betterment of the community. We deeply value the contributions of the Ottawa Valley residents who participated in our community engagement series hosted between 2022-2024 during which we heard different voices and perspectives on various local issues. These sessions informed our work in 2024 and kickstarted establishing a formal community-led impact board in the Town of Arnprior.
Pro Tip: When planning your community gathering, consider using public parks and greenspaces as a beautiful backdrop for your event. The Town of Arnprior offers various community rental spaces including the gazebo at Robert Simpson Park.
Community Uniting Tip #2: Get To Know Your Fellow Community Members!
Cultivate new friendships and take the time to learn about your fellow community members! A simple gesture like saying hello to a neighbour when you cross paths can make a big difference in nurturing a sense of community and opening the lines of communication. Feeling bold? Invite someone you’d like to get to know better out for a coffee. The worst they can say is no, but if they say yes, that first coffee chat might be the beginning of a beautiful new friendship. Did you know that Urban Runaway hosts monthly community coffee chats? These informal discussions are the perfect way for newcomers to make new friends and for long-term residents to reconnect. Follow the Urban Runaway Page for upcoming events and local engagement opportunities.
Pro Tip: Community collaboration can be a powerful tool for achieving your goals. Consider partnering with local businesses and community organizations that align with your vision. To get started, explore the local business directory and make a list of companies you admire. Then, reach out to the owners and share your ideas!
Community Uniting Tip #3: Be Generous Of Your Time!
Arnprior is home to many wonderful volunteers who generously give their time to help make the community an excellent place to live. There are countless opportunities to volunteer your time and many deserving organizations are eagerly awaiting your assistance. Despite our busy schedules, dedicating just a few hours can make a difference! Here are a few local organizations that we have vetted through our own volunteer experience as providing positive opportunities to get involved: Arnprior-Braeside-McNab Seniors at Home Program, Community Living Renfrew County South, The Arnprior and District Museum.
Community Uniting Tip #4 Use Your Voice
Finding your authentic voice will not only help people connect with you on a deeper level, It will increase awareness of the issues that are important to you and lay the groundwork for solution-oriented discussions within the community. There are many different forums you can use to share your voice. Online community groups, in-person events with Urban Runaway or consider voicing your concerns with local elected officials.
We work with people who want to help others, creating a circle of care that enhances our community. There is a place for you at Urban Runaway! We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who have contributed to our community conversations and supported our initiatives. We are incredibly fortunate to have experienced so many inspiring moments together and eagerly anticipate creating more. As Urban Runaway transitions into action mode in 2025, anticipate your invaluable feedback igniting the continued rollout of local programming, events and engagement opportunities.
