Connect the Dots

Connect the Dots We are focused on building meaningful engagement that elevates all voices in decision-making. We want to make sure everyone's voice is heard.

Our Mission:
We create impactful engagement opportunities to connect all voices with decision-makers. How We Work:
We talk to people, listen to their ideas, and invite them to be part of important decisions in their cities, towns, states, and regions. Our goal is to bring different opinions together and help make sure everyone plays a part in the decision-making process (we don’t make the final de

cisions). What We Work On:
We work on gathering public and stakeholder input for plans and studies that shape cities, organizations, parks, trails, buildings, places, transportation, economic development strategies, and more. Where We Work:
We are based in Philadelphia and work up and down the East Coast.

Can you tell what's in these boxes? It's pop-up materials packed for an event in NJ!Understanding how the public wants t...
05/22/2026

Can you tell what's in these boxes? It's pop-up materials packed for an event in NJ!

Understanding how the public wants to be included before designing an engagement strategy can make the engagement process more effective and successful. We went to Swedesboro-Woolwich Family Fun Day to ask residents and visitors how they want to participate in their own parks & open spaces design in Woolwich Township.

At our tent, you could draw a favorite part about Woolwich and display on the daisy chain or share which tactics were best suited for engagement. In the end meaningful conversations and insights were heard from kids, teens, and adults!

Reminder to RSVP! If you’re interested in the conversation on the changing landscape of public engagement, now’s your ch...
05/18/2026

Reminder to RSVP! If you’re interested in the conversation on the changing landscape of public engagement, now’s your chance. Join us on Wednesday for the “State of Engagement 2026: What This Moment Requires” to hear perspectives grounded in real project experience, and share honest reflections and learned lessons across sectors.

RSVP now: https://tinyurl.com/SOE26

🕟 In one week, we’re hosting “The State of Engagement 2026: What This Moment Requires,” to discuss what engagement looks...
05/13/2026

🕟 In one week, we’re hosting “The State of Engagement 2026: What This Moment Requires,” to discuss what engagement looks like in practice today together with public sector leaders and partners and how we’re evolving to match the moment.

Our updated list of guest speakers welcomes:

Milzy Carrasco - Director of Neighborhood Engagement, City of Lancaster, PA
Shoshana Akins - Manager of Public Participation Planning, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
Tya Winn - Executive Director, Community Design Collaborative

✅ RSVP for the free virtual event: https://tinyurl.com/SOE26

📥 You can also share your thoughts now in a digital comment board: https://padlet.com/ConnectTheDots/SOE2026

Here are Sylvia and Stephanie at Day 1 of the Monument Lab Summit and fuller now from the thought-provoking and impressi...
05/07/2026

Here are Sylvia and Stephanie at Day 1 of the Monument Lab Summit and fuller now from the thought-provoking and impressive speakers.

To borrow a word from the day--we are IGNITED with ideas and inspiration for what working with the public can evolve into.

Day 2 is sure to be just as compelling!

*In a rapidly changing world like ours, the challenges we face shift just as quickly. It’s important to take a moment to...
05/05/2026

*In a rapidly changing world like ours, the challenges we face shift just as quickly. It’s important to take a moment to reflect on how we can adapt ourselves to the needs of today. On May 20, Connect the Dots will be hosting “The State of Engagement 2026: What This Moment Requires,” a candid conversation on changes and challenges in the world of public engagement right now.

During the discussion, you’ll hear our perspectives as well as those of our peers in the public engagement field, with guest speakers (UPDATED):
- Milzy Carrasco, Director of Neighborhood Engagement, City of Lancaster, PA
- Tya Winn, Executive Director, Community Design Collaborative
- Shoshana Akins, Manager of Public Participation Planning, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission

There’s still time to RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/SOE26

Curiosity can invite questions and smiles. We took a creative spin on hand-crafting a conversation starter for a pop-up ...
05/04/2026

Curiosity can invite questions and smiles. We took a creative spin on hand-crafting a conversation starter for a pop-up about the Philadelphia Parking Authority's Automated Trolley Enforcement program by wearing a trolley costume.

If you attended the The Food Trust Clark Park Farmer's Market this past Saturday, hopefully we made you look! Or curious enough to stop for a chat.

Now you know that Automated Enforcement is fully underway with Hayden AI cameras installed on SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) T lines and the G to make it safer to get on and off the trolleys, improve schedule reliability, and Keep Philly Moving!

Public engagement is getting harder and more important at the same time. That’s why we at Connect the Dots are hosting a...
04/27/2026

Public engagement is getting harder and more important at the same time. That’s why we at Connect the Dots are hosting a conversation, "The State of Engagement 2026: What This Moment Requires".

Between major public events, shifting social and political landscapes, and growing public fatigue, the context for engagement is changing quickly. We want to discuss what engagement looks like in practice today together with public sector leaders and partners.

Grab a seat at the table on May 20, from 3:00-4:00 p.m. EST as we explore:
- What has changed in the engagement landscape?
- What currently feels challenging and why?
- What is working right now?
- What needs to evolve moving forward and how is Connect the Dots matching the moment?

Whether you’re designing engagement processes, leading public-facing work, or navigating participation challenges, this conversation is designed to help us all step back, reflect, and move forward with greater clarity.

RSVP here: https://tinyurl.com/SOE26

We make sure to take time every quarter to huddle and discuss work with our amazing team. We think about ways to improve...
04/09/2026

We make sure to take time every quarter to huddle and discuss work with our amazing team. We think about ways to improve our outreach and engagement practice, areas where we can grow, and always make sure to celebrate everything we’ve done so far!

This time around, we:
👕 shared new CtD team gear
🍔 ate delicious food
🚘 played Mario Kart, and
🛗 captured a great elevator selfie!

Connect the Dots office will be closed for a holiday break between December 22 - January 2 for much deserved rest, rejuv...
12/19/2025

Connect the Dots office will be closed for a holiday break between December 22 - January 2 for much deserved rest, rejuvenation, and spending time with loved ones. We'll see you next year!

2025 can be summarized by one word, EXPANSION ➕! We have so much to be proud of when we reflect on this past year. We gr...
12/17/2025

2025 can be summarized by one word, EXPANSION ➕! We have so much to be proud of when we reflect on this past year. We grew our team, shared our knowledge with more partners, reached new audiences, and gained more connections in new fields.

Read about how we expanded to connect the dots across 🗂️projects, 🏙️places, and 👩‍👧‍👦people in our last newsletter of the year: https://conta.cc/3Kqiudk

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1617 JFK Boulevard, 20th Floor
Philadelphia, PA
19103

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