

Vanessa Elias
Human Connection and Mental Health Activist
Certified Parent Coach
Block Party Expert
The Aspen Institute’s Weave Social Fabric Project Speaker
Community Advisor and Consultant


I help people build relationships, connection, and community within their homes and outside their homes.
With parents, I work one-on-one to address and resolve challenges, understand what your child is really communicating and needs, relieve your burnout, and realize the power that you have to change your family life.
With community leaders and organizations, I serve as an advisor and consultant to take the burden off your group to formulate a human connection plan and focus on action.
With everyone, I work to help you connect with your neighbors, and create community and opportunities for play, support, and joy as a simple and forgotten way to vastly improve your life.
Each of us has the power to improve our daily lives. Sometimes it’s hard to find a way forward with all that is coming at us. That’s where I come in.
Together, let’s take actionable steps to achieve a life worth living – at home and in our community – full of meaningful connection, support, relationships, well-being, and play.

Stay connected with me

Upcoming Events
Join Connective Tissue for an interactive workshop on cultivating neighborhood membership, featuring three of the most innovative neighborhood practitioners in the US: Vanessa Elias, Founder of Block Party USA, Gerrel Jones, Founder of Renew Birmingham, and D.J. Trischler, Publisher of the Claypole Commons.
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 from 4-5:15 p.m. ET.
Strong Towns Virtual Workshop | 3 Ways to Build a Neighborhood Where Kids Can be Independent with Block Party USA Founder Vanessa Elias.
Thursday, October 9, 2025 from 12 noon-1 p.m. CT.
Stay connected with me – not AI or an outside service, all emails are written by me!
Inspiring stories, upcoming events, and evidence-based practices to help you achieve healthier family relationships and lasting, meaningful connections.

