Civic Engagement New York

Hudson Gives Back

Join us for the upcoming Hudson County Community Initiative, a day dedicated to volunteering, empowering, and transforming our neighborhoods through unity and service. Together, community members, families, and local volunteers will come together to support positive change, strengthen connections, and help create a cleaner, safer, and brighter future for Hudson County. This event is more than volunteering — it is about building pride in our community, uplifting one another, and showing the power of teamwork when people come together with one mission: creating a better community for future generations. From community support activities to neighborhood improvement efforts, every contribution will make a meaningful impact. We are also looking to build stronger connections throughout the community. If you are part of an organization, collective, local group, or know of any organization interested in collaborating with us, we would love to connect and work together. Anyone interested in leading a volunteering initiative, community activity, or bringing new ideas to help our neighborhoods is always welcome. We believe real change happens when communities come together with creativity, leadership, and shared purpose. We proudly thank every volunteer and supporter who will be part of this initiative. Your time, energy, and dedication help make Hudson County stronger. We love our community, and together, we continue building a brighter future for all.

How Service Design Can Help with Deep Wounds & Healing

**Tuesday, May 19th - 6:00-8:00 PM EDT** **Presentation** How Service Design Can Help with Deep Wounds & Healing **Event Description** As the world grows more complex, individuals and organizations are navigating greater uncertainty, rapid change, and increasing emotional strain. Building resilience in this environment requires more than external problem-solving–it calls for deeper personal reflection and attention to mental health. This talk draws from a personal journey through grief and burnout, uncovering parallels between service design methods and therapeutic frameworks. When we face significant life events resulting in trauma to our system, the process of stabilizing and healing can feel unfamiliar, messy, emotional, and difficult to make sense of. But, as service designers, we're uniquely suited to tackle whatever life throws at us. The same skills used to understand systems, map journeys, and navigate ambiguity at work can also support how we process our own experiences alongside a licensed professional. This talk explores how service designers can recognize and engage with therapeutic approaches that mirror their existing toolkit. By asking more informed questions and working with a therapist to apply familiar frameworks in new ways, service designers can better understand their own behavioral patterns, make meaning of their lived experiences, and move through difficult chapters with greater structure, awareness, and support. **About Our Speaker** **Natalie Kuhn** Natalie Kuhn is founder of [Here with the Herd](https://herewiththeherd.com/), offering experiential learning for people with horses as well as Co-Founder of the global retreat company VAYRAH Experience. Previously she was a Senior Director of Design at Capital One, design leader at Meta within Data Privacy, and spent years as a Lead Service Designer at FJORD within Accenture Interactive. Natalie brings almost 20 years in human-centered design and research. She co-ran the SDN New York Chapter for 5 years in which the chapter won an award for innovative events on a global stage, and was accredited by SDN as a Service Design Master back in 2021. **Agenda** * 6:00-6:30PM Meet & mingle over food and drink * 6:30-7:30PM Presentation & Demo * 7:30-8:00PM Discussion & Networking * 8:00PM - ? After-Party **Address** Intuit 51 Astor Place New York, NY 10003 **After-Party**: Cuna Bar The Standard 25 Cooper Sq **Financial Transparency & Scholarships** As a non-profit, we do our best to strike a balance between making our events available to all and ensuring we keep the lights on. For this event, we are charging $10. * If this amount is prohibitive for you to attend this event, please message [Barry](https://www.meetup.com/sdnnyc/members/267573171/) on Meetup and we’ll provide you a scholarship to this event. You can also email us at sdn.newyorkchapter@gmail.com as we may miss messages on this platform. * If you’d like to provide scholarships, please message [Barry](https://www.meetup.com/sdnnyc/members/267573171/) on Meetup and he will follow up with you. See you there :) David, Francesco, Yasmin, Cameron, Lynn, Nicholas, & Barry Photo by:

Help Samara Community School students learn to ride!

Trivia Meetup - Sat. May 16

• What we'll do A Saturday afternoon of fun and trivia at Whole Foods at 270 Greenwich Street on Warren. Please make a purchase and hold on to the receipt. Look on the 2nd floor for a table with games on them. Take the subway down to Chambers Street or World Trade Center and walk west. Check www,mta.info for service disruptions. There is an elevator for those who want or need it. • What to bring Yourself, a pen or pencil. • Important to know This place has an elevator, so it's handicap accessible. If you RSVP and cannot attend, change your RSVP to NO. Okay, you know what to do.

Paint In Central Park (Bucket List Event)

\*\*\*TO ATTEND GET TICKETS AT - [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paint-in-the-park-tickets-1984990444855**](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paint-in-the-park-tickets-1984990444855**) *(This is a prepay event and only way to attend is to get ticket in advance at link above. Our events are co-organized by multiple groups so don't pay attention to the RSVPs. These events are consistently well attended.)* CELEBRATE SPRING AT ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR MEETUPS AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY BY PAINTING IN CENTRAL PARK! Come join us in a relaxed, creative and social setting. No experience necessary. So grab your picnic basket and enjoy wonderful paint event in Central Park! Included: a pre-sketched canvas, unlimited painting materials (brushes, acrylic paints etc.) and a take home bag. No smocks so please dress appropriately. Please bring something to sit on. What to expect: **• Step-by-step, group-oriented painting instruction, which is designed to simultaneously entertain and enlighten our members.** **• We'll have a professional artist guide you through a featured painting that is yours to keep and proudly display. And don’t worry — no experience is necessary.** **• 2 hour course lead that teaches you the art of mixing colors, blending and painting techniques.** **• All supplies provided - 12x16 pre-sketched canvas, unlimited acrylic paint (water based), brushes, and aprons.** DIRECTIONS TO FIND GROUP: We are located in a cul-de-sac at PINETUM EAST. We will be behind this row of benches (right under the trees). If you are coming from the east side you can find us by entering Central Park on East 84th street. Walk up the ramp, cross over the road and head west. If you are traveling from the west side we are east of the basketball courts. FAQs: What if it rains? We will email attendees a rain date. Can I still attend If I don't know how to paint? Yes, there's no experience necessary. Can I come alone? Yes, about 80% come on their own. Is this age specific? No, all are welcome. Cost? $35-$45, price goes up as the event date gets closer. This event will sell out. Can't purchase at the door.

Victory Pints at Wild East Brewing

WEBSITE (http://www.victorypints.com/) TWITTER (https://twitter.com/victory_pints) FACEBOOK (https://www.facebook.com/victorypints) Every Monday we bring some serious board game madness to Wild East Brewing from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. They like board games; we like board games... it's a match made in heaven! WHAT TYPE OF GAMES ARE PLAYED? All types. Real short bluffing games decorated with skulls and flowers. Cooperative games fighting horrible diseases. Classic euro games where you haggle over sheep and wheat. Whether you want to fight unspeakable horrors in Arkham or build railroads across America or rebuild your farm after the black plague (more fun than it sounds) you can probably find a game you would like. Some games you might see are 7 Wonders, Settlers of Catan, Pandemic, Dominion, Dixit, Puerto Rico, Eldritch Horror, Ticket to Ride, Carcasonne among many others. You're also welcome to bring any game you want to play! I DON'T KNOW THESE GAMES? IS IT COOL IF I COME? We're very friendly and if you have no idea what the hell we're talking about just trust us when we say it's ton of fun. We'll have tons of games and we're very happy to show you the rules. Hang out, haves some drinks, and learn a new game. Questions? Comments? Contact us at info@victorypints.com

Sunday Gathering: Progressive Patriotism, Reclaiming the Flag

Patriotism takes many forms, ranging from pride of place to toxic nationalism. How can progressive people express respect for the US, while challenging the status quo and “America First” nationalism that has led our nation into wars of choice and domination? Our speaker, Society President Eric Sandhusen, will explore ways to honor those who have fought and died, abroad and at home, for the ideals that are sometimes in conflict with reality. This Gathering is at the meetinghouse and on Zoom. To receive the Zoom link, please email [admin@ethicalfocus.org](mailto:admin@ethicalfocus.org)by noon on Friday.

Intro Session For New Volunteers!

Want to volunteer in your community? Enjoy time on the water or the beach? Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse is the place for you this summer! Join us for an open house and introductory volunteer session. We'll go over what we do as volunteers and possibly do a little kayaking! **FREE PADDLING** We have free kayaking, paddle boarding, and outrigger canoeing every weekend during the warm months in our protected cove. We will post the schedule around April. **ABOUT US** The Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse is 100% run by volunteers. We are hoping you will join our volunteer crew. There is no commitment, help us as little or as much as you are able. **VOLUNTEER TRIPS** By helping us during our free kayaking days at the cove you may start joining our trips. We go everywhere! Destinations: Frying Pan, Manhattan Kayak Company, Downtown Community Boathouse, Surf City, Governor's Island, Red Hook, and more! **FREE LESSONS** Join us for free paddling instruction sessions in our cove. Learn to paddle more effectively, improve your form, maneuver your kayak, rescue yourself and others, and learn more about our beautiful river. If you will be paddling with us this day wear quick drying clothing and bring a reusable water bottle. Hope to see you and hope you join us all our adventures on the water!

BRONX volunteers needed

Desert and food events for low income families in the Bronx, and other recipients that need help throughout NY. Every Thursday - Saturday during January and February. Welcome Tasters and Admin assistance. For your help, you will be treated too! RSVP via meetup for location and further information before spots fill up!

Songs of Resistance with Brooklyn Ethical Voices

Join us for the gathering of Brooklyn Ethical Voices (BEV). This is a chance for us to try out a choir experience, open to inexperienced and advanced singers. We will lead each other in songs about **justice** and creating a better world. Come sing with us and be part of something special! Brooklyn Ethical Voices meets once a month on Sundays.

[Tuesday] Discussion: Compassion

**Join our discord:** [https://discord.gg/sXmd8MRvmr](https://discord.gg/sXmd8MRvmr) We're meeting at the main atrium at the tables between big windows and the palm trees. **Compassion** is the ability to recognize another person’s suffering and feel moved to respond with care, understanding, or support. It goes beyond empathy by inspiring action, even in small ways. Compassion can strengthen relationships, deepen human connection, and help create more understanding communities. At the same time, showing compassion—especially consistently—can be emotionally demanding and may require balancing care for others with care for ourselves. In this discussion, we’ll explore what compassion means, where it comes from, and how it shapes the way we relate to others and ourselves. 1. How do you personally define compassion? 2. What’s the difference between compassion, empathy, and kindness? 3. Can you share a moment when someone showed you compassion in a meaningful way? 4. What motivates people to act compassionately toward others? 5. Are there situations where showing compassion feels especially difficult? 6. How do you balance compassion for others with protecting your own well-being? 7. Can compassion change the outcome of conflict or misunderstanding? How? 8. Do you think compassion is something people are born with or something that can be developed? 9. How do culture, upbringing, or life experiences shape the way we show compassion? 10. What role does self-compassion play in mental and emotional health? 11. How can individuals or communities encourage more compassion in everyday life? These are just some of the questions we will discuss during our meetup. No preparation needed, just bring yourself and a willingness to listen and share your thoughts. The meetup will be structured in a way to promote small group discussion so everyone has a chance to listen, be heard, and really dive into the discussion. \- \- \- \- \- \#\# How our discussions work * **Each meetup has a clear topic and guiding questions.** We stay with them so everyone gets the conversation they came for. * **This is a reflective discussion, not a debate.** The focus is understanding and exploration rather than persuasion or winning an argument. * **We speak from personal experience.** Sharing is encouraged; judging, correcting, or speaking over others isn’t. * **We move one question at a time.** Related thoughts are welcome when they support the question we’re exploring. * **We share the space.** Everyone has a chance to speak, and no one is expected to dominate or perform. * **We listen generously.** Curiosity, presence, and openness matter more than certainty. * **This is a non-political, non-outrage space.** The emphasis is on reflection and connection, not debate or escalation. We'll arrange tables of 6 participants each. When you arrive, please gather at the main atrium - we'll be at the tables between big windows and the palm trees. Once enough people are assembled, I'll escort each group of 6 to their table to begin the discussion, and continue doing this as more participants arrive. Each table will receive a sheet containing the topic description and discussion questions. Feel free to take a photo or refer to the event page to have your own copy handy. The official event time is from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, but some of us stay longer, transitioning into informal conversations beyond the topic. You're welcome to join any other ongoing discussions once your initial group wraps up and members start leaving.

Bike with Samara Community School students at Van Cortlandt Park!