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Stronger Together

A Guide to Neighborhood Organizing

Updated July 21, 2026

Author: Jessica Juarez Scruggs, Director of Organizing and Capacity Building

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About This Toolkit

Just like we’ve brought food to a neighbor in mourning or helped an elderly neighbor shovel their walkway, we can help protect each other by joining together and organizing at the neighborhood level. This toolkit is designed to provide some first steps, tips, and tools to help you get started. 

Joining together with your neighbors doesn’t require any previous organizing experience — just a desire to make your community a better place.

Note: This toolkit is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws, policies, and organizational best practices vary by location and may change over time. Readers should consult qualified professionals with any specific legal or safety questions. We Build Progress is committed to peaceful, nonviolent organizing. This toolkit describes strategies for neighborhood organizing, a peaceful, nonviolent, and legal organizing tactic.

About We BuilD PRoGRESS

We Build Progress is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to building power for the rest of us. We bring together experienced organizers, former Congressional and agency staffers, and policy experts to give our movements the analysis, tools, and information they need to win people-centered policy change. We provide resources to support organizing, public education, and advocacy to deliver real, lasting progress.

Table of Contents

Why Organize Your Neighborhood?…………………………………………………………………………………………………..4

Connecting with Other Groups……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..4

First Steps…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………5

Organize a neighborhood meeting……………………………………………………………………………………………..5

Bring, Learn, Teach, Do………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………8

Sample Graphics………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….8

Outreach…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………8

Flyering and Tabling………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..9

Door-Knocking Basics…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….9

Sample Door-Knocking Script……………………………………………………………………………………………11

Create a Neighborhood Chat……………………………………………………………………………………………..11

Building Connections……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..12

Neighborhood Social Ideas………………………………………………………………………………………………..12

1:1 Conversations……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..13

Jemez Principles……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………14

Taking Action Together………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..14

Documenting and Sharing Problems in Your Neighborhood……………………………………..14

Capturing Good Information - S.A.L.U.T.E. or A.L.E.R.T.A………………………………………15

Documenting Contamination, Pollution, and Health Impacts…………………………16

Misinformation, Disinformation, and Spreading Information Responsibly…16

Mutual Aid………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..17

Find a Mutual Aid Group…………………………………………………………………………………………………..18

Resources on Starting a Mutual Aid Group………………………………………………………………18

Host an Action Social Hour…………………………………….……………………………………………………………….18

Preparing for Community Rapid Response…………………………………….………………………………19

Nothing About Us, Without Us…………………………………….……………………………………………….20

Don’t Put Others at Risk…………………………………….……………………………………………………………20

Engage Your Government…………………………………….………………………………………………………………..20

Resources: Protect Yourself and Find Services 21

Mental Health Resources…………………………………….……………………………………………………………………..21

Basic Needs…………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………….21

Protecting your right to vote…………………………………….……………………………………………………………..22

Reproductive Rights and Justice…………………………………….………………………………………………….…22

Protecting Marriage Equality…………………………………….…………………………………………………………….23

Protecting LGBTQ+ and Trans Loved Ones…………………………………….…………………………………23

Environmental Justice Resources…………………………………….…………………………………………………..23

Protecting Immigrant Loved Ones…………………………………….………………………………………………..24

Training and Organizing Resources…………………………………….……………………………………………………..25

Organizing Trainings…………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………25

Legal Trainings and Know Your Rights Trainings…………………………………………………………..25

Cover of a neighborhood organizing guide titled 'Stronger Together' with an illustration of diverse people holding signs, a butterfly, and a globe, with the phrase 'Stand Up Speak Out' and the logo 'We Build Progress' at the bottom.
Document titled 'Toolkit' with an illustration of a Capitol building and Statue of Liberty at the top. The subtitle says 'We Build Progress'. Contains sections about the toolkit's purpose and about 'We Build Progress' organization, updated July 16, 2026.
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