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Open House Draws Over 200 Attendees

By Adrian Rehn

Thumping bass. Great drinks. The best food trucks. Hundreds of people.

Valley Vision’s Open House on September 13th brought over 200 community members to meet, eat, and tour our new digs in Sacramento’s historic Oak Park neighborhood. In planning an event that would showcase our new space,  it was a no brainer that we reach out to Maritza and Roshaun Davis of Unseen Heroes and arrange to hold it during the GATHER: Oak Park neighborhood block party, which takes place literally on our doorstep.

Since moving to Oak Park, we have immersed ourselves in the community. CEO Bill Mueller took time to walk the neighborhood and personally invite business owners, nonprofit leaders, and community members to our Open House. Project Manager Adrian Rehn enthusiastically shared it with his friends and neighbors through the Oak Park Neighborhood Association (OPNA). Staff also invited family, partners and clients. We had an outreach plan that was neighborhood and people-centric, that I’m proud at how well we executed our vision. People quickly registered for the event, while the committee developed informational boards and talking points for each of Valley Vision’s impact areas, as well as fun activities for attendees.

On the day of the Open House, staff enthusiastically showed guests the office and introduced them to other team members, many of whom challenging each other over a game of ping-pong or two on our state-of-the-art table. Guests munched on a spread of peach tarts, fresh veggies and flatbread pizza made using locally-grown ingredients by our own Emma Koefoed and Chloe Pan, and responded to deep questions about where our region should go in the future. While residents are pleased with our public amenities, the friendliness of other community members, and the food and beer scene, they still want to see improved public transportation and a MLS soccer team!

While board members, staff, and friends of Valley Vision mingled throughout the space, it became apparent that the Open House had done precisely what we intended. It brought our partners, staff, and new friends together  in a way that made people want to discuss air quality and transportation projects while catching up with one another. Valley Vision benefited greatly from partnering with Unseen Heroes in making our Open House a success, as the energy that is created each month with GATHER amplified everything about our event. We look forward to a continued partnership with Unseen Heroes in the weeks and months to come!

The final GATHER: Oak Park of 2018 is taking place next month, on October 11th right outside our office at 3400 3rd Avenue in Sacramento. We hope to hang out with you then!

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