“Wait, What’s That?” The Newcomer Gap That’s Costing Us Community Engagement

So here’s something that’s been sitting with me lately - and honestly, once I noticed it, I started seeing it everywhere:

Not everyone in our town knows what we’re talking about.

That annual pancake breakfast?
The quirky parade that’s been going since forever?
The way everyone calls that park by its unofficial nickname from the ‘80s?

Yeah… not everyone’s in on it.

And it’s not because they don’t care. It’s because they just got here. And nobody told them.

Let’s pause there for a second.

Because the truth is, a lot of our small towns are changing. People are moving in. New families, new stories, new energy. And while that’s so good for a thriving community — it also means we can’t keep doing things the exact same way and expect people to feel connected.

📊 Recent numbers say 35–40% of residents in many communities have moved in within the last 5 years. That’s a big chunk of your town showing up to events with no clue what’s going on — and quietly wondering if they even belong.

I’ve been at events where I overheard someone whisper, “Wait, what is this for again?”
Or saw a young mom scanning the crowd like, “Are we allowed to be here?”
That stuff stays with you.

We forget: Traditions don’t make people feel included unless someone invites them into them.

So… what can we do?

At Mirth and Joy, we’ve been partnering with local governments and community orgs to bridge this exact gap. And no, it’s not about scrapping long-standing traditions (we love a good pie contest as much as anyone). It’s about documenting, inviting, and connecting.

Here’s what we help with:

🔹 New Resident Welcome Kits – Yep, not just a printout of city codes. Think: bite-sized, beautifully designed content that tells newcomers what to expect, where to go, and why things matter around here.

🔹 Tradition Storytelling – Every quirky festival started somewhere. We help you capture those origin stories - and highlight the people who keep them alive.

🔹 Spotlighting Newcomer Voices – There’s so much magic when we amplify how new residents are already showing up, volunteering, and shaping the vibe. (Because yes, they do want to be involved.)

🔹 Inclusive Campaigns – Events that say “this is for everyone” and actually feel like it? That’s where the future is headed. And we’re ready to help you get there.

Real talk:

The most vibrant towns I’ve seen don’t just preserve the past. They invite everyone — even the ones who just moved in last month — to help co-create what’s next.

We’re not talking about major overhauls. We’re talking small, thoughtful shifts. A welcome video here. A community story there. A little less “you had to be there” and a little more “we’re glad you’re here.”

So if you’re a local leader, a community org, or even just a longtime resident who’s noticed that “hmm, something feels off” — this might be it.

And this is your sign to fix it.
With care. With joy. With intention.

Let’s build a town where everyone gets to belong.

📩 Want help making that happen?
Reach out - we’re always up for a good community project.