In the Franconia-Kingstowne area of Alexandria, VA and surrounding areas, we recognize a pressing issue: the epidemic of loneliness and disconnection that has intensified in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our community, particularly Alexandria, Virginia, has emerged as one of the loneliest cities in America, with a notable impact on women. At the Neighborkind Collective, we are committed to acknowledging and addressing these challenges through a multi-tiered approach to neighborliness.

Our mission is to create touch-points for connection that inspire kindness and service within our community, and in so doing, we aim to:

1. Reduce Loneliness: By fostering environments where people can meet, share, and grow together.

2. Encourage Service: Foster environments where every person feels valued, connected, and empowered, mobilizing volunteers and leaders to build and strengthen the community through service to the common good.

3. Promote Neighborliness: Cultivating a culture where compassion, kindness, and community collaboration is a way of life.

The Neighborkind Collective seeks to foster meaningful connections within our community by implementing a multi-tiered cooperative model built on the understanding of community dynamics, which encourages a pipeline and diversity of connection in large groups, listening groups, small groups, support groups, and intimate friend groups; and focuses on sustainable and transformative connection for our core demographics of young adult singles, senior adult singles, and young families (groups that most acutely feel the affects of isolation and disconnection).

We envision a future where:

1. Loneliness is Addressed: Our community understands and actively works to alleviate the feelings of isolation and the results of disconnection.

2. People are Engaged & Invested: Individuals are motivated to participate in community initiatives, resulting in strengthened relationships and a sense of ownership in the community's common good.

3. Collaboration is Key: A robust network of churches, businesses, and nonprofits collaborates seamlessly to meet the needs of the community.

4. Transformation Happens: Through opportunities for compassionate neighborliness, community service, and real connection, personal growth and transformation is inspired and achieved, creating a ripple effect that extends beyond our immediate community.

Our strategy is informed by detailed community insights, identifying key factors and root causes contributing to loneliness in our area:

1. Singleness & Isolation: Many individuals, especially those who are single, struggle with forming connections outside of work in the fast-paced DC metro area.

2. Burden and Busyness: The growing, all-encompassing nature and overwhelming expectations and responsibilities of child-rearing in today's culture hinder's connection and community engagement among families.

3. Divisiveness: A lack of common ground has led to disconnection and a diminished sense of belonging.

To combat these issues, Neighborkind Collective focuses on creating spaces that foster:

1. Social Connection: Encouraging friendships and community ties through shared experiences.

2. Inclusion: Ensuring that everyone feels welcomed and valued within our community.

3. Engagement: Providing opportunities for active participation in fostering neighborliness and service toward the common good.

In the fall of 2024, Franconia United Methodist Church and the Kingstowne Communion began dreaming together about a collaborative movement that would love our neighbors, eventually discerning that the greatest need plaguing our south Alexandria area, and greater DC metro area as well, is the epidemic of loneliness and disconnection and it's results.

Learn more about these local inclusive and affirming United Methodist churches and consider joining us for Holy Week and Easter 2025:

The Kingstowne Communion
10am Sunday Worship
Hayfield Secondary School (Door 9)
7630 Telegraph Rd, Alexandria, VA 22315
https://kingstownecommunion.net
connect@kingstownecommunion.net

Franconia United Methodist Church
Sunday Worship: 9am Traditional, 11am Contemporary
6037 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310
https://franconiaumc.org 
churchoffice@franconiaumc.org 

Our next steps as the Neighborkind Collective will be determined by the results of an anonymous, confidential survey gauging loneliness and disconnection in our area.

Take the Survey Now

We'd love to hear from you, partner with you, connect more deeply with you. Reach out to us by emailing neighborkindcollective@gmail.com.

We're now on social media. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.