RiC

The Uphams Corner Food Forest was eager to expand its community engagement efforts but unsure where to start. Volunteers were motivated and knowledgeable, but lacked structured guidance to help turn their ideas into action within the community. Through deeper research, it became clear that support was needed in three key areas: outreach, engagement, and understanding participation.

The tools in this toolkit were developed in response—shaped by observational studies, interviews, participatory design sessions, and rounds of user testing. The Rooted in Connection: Community Engagement Toolkit is a living collection of tools designed to evolve alongside the needs of the people using them, with flexibility and user input at its core.

While rooted in the experience of one community-led space, this toolkit was created with adaptability in mind—ready to support grassroots organizations, especially those driven by volunteers, wherever they may be.