🎉What’s Happening in Mesa This January?

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Community Engagement Newsletter

JANUARY 2026

Join us for our upcoming Resident’s Guide to Community & Civic Engagement class on Tuesday, March 3 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Mesa City Hall (20 East Main Street). This class will feature an exclusive tour of the new Mesa City Hall! Learn how City government works, discover meaningful ways to get involved, and explore the impact of serving on City advisory boards. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our Community Engagement Coordinators and City Clerk staff. We look forward to seeing you there! Registration open.

2026 Hot Topics & Goal Setting: Tech, Trends, and Tomorrow’s HOA/Condo Success: Stay ahead of the curve with a look at the key trends shaping HOAs and condos in 2026, from AI tools and cybersecurity risks to insurance challenges, management mergers, and delinquent assessment collection. This session also covers advances in e-voting, security, and sustainability, and concludes with the Eisenhower Method to jump-start a more productive board year. Tuesday, January 20, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Registration open.

Mastering Meetings: Annual & Board Meeting Excellence for HOAs/Condos Learn practical strategies to plan and run efficient, compliant board and annual meetings across virtual, hybrid, or in-person formats. This class covers agenda planning, participation, technology tools, and volunteer engagement to help your board lead meetings with confidence and clarity. Tuesday, February 17, 2026. From 11:00 a.m. to noon. Registration open.

Tough Conversations & Turnaround Tactics: Dealing with Difficult People, Dysfunctional Boards, and Recalls: Build confidence in handling difficult situations, from disruptive homeowners and contentious board members to harassment and stalled decision-making. This session also addresses recall petitions, including legal considerations and communication strategies, to help restore effective and professional board leadership. Tuesday, March 17, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Registration open.

Stay Tuned: America250 Is Coming to Your Neighborhood The City of Mesa is proud to participate in the nationwide celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. The Community Engagement team invites residents to come together and commemorate this historic milestone through simple, meaningful activities rooted in our local community. More details will be shared soon—stay tuned for ways to participate and celebrate together.

Volunteers Needed: Ring in the New Year with Service at the 2026 MLK Parade

Start 2026 by giving back! Join us for the Mesa–East Valley Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade on January 19^th by volunteering. Volunteers are needed to help with parade preparation in the staging area, support along the parade route, or bringing the festival to life.

Your involvement strengthens our community and helps create a celebration we can all be proud of. Sign up today and be part of this inspiring event—we can’t wait to see you there!

New Year. Smarter Water Use Dive into the new year with water conservation in mind and turn these ideas into action! - Take the "I'm for Water" Pledge and commit to using less water year-round. - Get the 2026 WaterSense Resolutions Checklist for monthly water-saving action items. - Visit wateruseitwisely.com for 100+ water-saving tips. Small steps, big water savings! Visit mesaaz.gov/conservation to find these and other helpful resources and resolve to save in 2026!

Get Ready, Mesa! 2026 Mesa-K-Ready Sessions Kick Off Soon

Mesa K-Ready provides FREE parent training sessions that empower families with tools and strategies to support early learning and Kindergarten readiness. Sessions are held bi-monthly through May 7, 2026, and are open to families with children ages 3–5.

Classes take place every other Wednesday and include bilingual instruction and materials in English and Spanish. Families may choose the location and time that best fits their schedule:

Morning Session (9–11 AM) Mesa Family Resource Center – Main Library 64 E. 1st St., Mesa, AZ 85201 | 480-644-6496

Afternoon Session (1–3 PM) Stevenson Elementary 638 S. 96th St., Mesa, AZ 85208 | 480-472-9000

Participants are welcome to attend either session and may switch between morning and afternoon as needed.

Attention landlords and property managers! Our Housing and Community Development office will hold a virtual Landlord Briefing call on Wednesday, January 14th from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Our meeting will cover various topics including:
- Section 8 Waitlist
- RFTA Process
- Tenant Screening
- HCV Program
- Fair Housing
- Inspections

You can attend by clicking the Zoom meeting link below: https://my.mesaaz.gov/43KdKq7

To learn more about property participation in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, visit https://my.mesaaz.gov/4pvO33T

Join us at the Mesa–East Valley Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade

Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
11:00 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Location: The parade runs down Center St. and the festival is at the Plaza at Mesa City Center. 56 E. Main St., Mesa, AZ, 85201

Join us as we come together to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day with the signature parade and festival! Under the theme Mission Possible: Building Bridges...Building Community, this event will honor Dr. King’s legacy by highlighting the power of unity, inclusion, and community growth. We invite you to be part of this important day of celebration and reflection.”

Regional Unity Walk Saturday, January 24th Festival at 4:30 p.m. Walk begins at 6:00 p.m.  Tempe Beach Park (80 W Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe, AZ 85281) Mesa will join Chandler, Gilbert, Phoenix, Guadalupe, and host city, Tempe, to participate in the Annual Regional Unity Walk on Saturday, January 24th, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Annual Regional Unity Walk kicks off with a 4:30 p.m. festival at Tempe Beach Park, complete with refreshments and entertainment, followed by a one-mile candlelight walk at 6:00 p.m. Families, community organizations, scout groups, school clubs, church groups, and all community members are welcome to participate. Mesa walkers are encouraged to wear turquoise or teal shirts. Free t-shirts will be available on a first-come basis. For more information on the Annual Regional Unity Walk, please contact Together Mesa at togethermesa.info@mesaaz.gov

Asian Festival AZ

The Asian Festival in Mesa offers free entry for the public and a vibrant celebration of food, culture, and community. Festival hours are 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Jan. 31 and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Feb. 1. Attendees can enjoy authentic Asian cuisine, arts and crafts vendors, traditional and contemporary dance and music performances, lion dances in celebration of Lunar New Year, cultural exhibits, and family-friendly activities.

If you are ready for some cultural experiences, visitors are encouraged to explore the Asian District Mesa AZ®, where they can enjoy great food, shopping, and art. For more information, visit asianfestivalaz.com 

We’re grateful for your involvement and look forward to another year of building strong, connected neighborhoods together in 2026.