Suzanne Cummings is community development outreach communications manager and Jessica Grant-Domond is a senior community development analyst, both in Regional & Community Outreach at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

In simplest terms, “community engagement” means authentic involvement of residents to empower them to be decision makers in key processes that directly affect their lives. For many Working Places (WP) initiative teams advancing their community projects, this has looked like early outreach to specific groups affected by a problem, resulting in widespread buy-in and involvement and a deeper understanding of the issues at hand.

Another important part of engaging communities is enabling participation by designing feedback and decision-making opportunities that are inclusive, beneficial, and accessible to all affected stakeholders. Through community engagement, residents develop a sense of ownership, inclusion, and pride in the work and a commitment to long-term involvement and accountability across an initiative’s lifespan.

In this Invested Interprets, we hear from WP community leaders in three New England states. Shanay Fulton is the initiative director for Working Cities Challenge of Middletown, Connecticut; Emily Lev is the former initiative director for Working Communities of Lamoille County, Vermont; and Alisa Costa is a consultant and former initiative director of Berkshire Bridges in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

The views expressed are not necessarily those of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston or the Federal Reserve System. Information about organizations, programs, and events is strictly informational and not an endorsement.