At Maiker, we believe each person has gifts, talents and power. Listening directly to members is one way we put that belief into practice and help ensure lived experience informs decisions, partnerships and advocacy within Maiker and across the broader community.
In the summer of 2026, Family and Community Vitality hosted seven separate community conversations across seven Maiker communities: Creekside, Waterview, Aztec Villas, Crossing Pointe North, Crossing Pointe South, Village of Greenbriar and ATS. This represents significant growth from 2025, when one community conversation was held at one community.
Dinner was served at each gathering, helping create a warm and welcoming environment where members and Maikers could connect, build relationships and speak openly about what matters most within their communities.
Listening Across Roles
Maikers from Family and Community Vitality, Community Management, Maintenance and regional leadership, along with members of Maiker’s Board, joined the conversations to listen directly to members. Their participation connected community experiences with people representing different areas of Maiker’s work.
That range of perspectives mattered because the issues members raised extended across community programming, property operations, communication, transportation, access to resources and broader systems affecting housing stability. Hearing those experiences together helped create a more complete picture of community strengths, concerns and priorities.
“The community conversations created an opportunity to come together, learn from one another and listen to the voices of our members. Through collaboration with the Property Operations team and FCV, we strengthen relationships, share ideas and work together toward improving our communities.”
– Elizabeth Aryeetey, Manager of Engagement, FCV
What Members Shared
Although every community has its own strengths and priorities, several themes emerged across the conversations. Members discussed affordability and the rising cost of living, safety, maintenance responsiveness, transportation, access to resources and the desire for stronger community connection. Members also highlighted what they value, including supportive staff, community events, resource navigation, food distributions and opportunities to connect with neighbors.
These perspectives reinforce Maiker’s belief that Housing Is a Human Right. A home is more than a physical space. It should be a place where people feel safe, welcomed and connected to their community.
Many of the issues members identified also extend beyond the work of any one organization. Addressing affordability, transportation, resource access, safety and opportunities for young people can require continued coordination among members, housing providers, community organizations, funders and public partners.
“Our community conversations are first and foremost about building trust and relationships with our members. We show up to be present, listen and gather insight from them about what is on their minds and hearts. The opportunity is for us to hear members and respond wherever possible to their concerns.”
– Heather Matthews, Director of FCV
From Listening to Action
Not every concern raised during a community conversation will have an immediate solution, but action is already beginning to take shape. Several Community Managers have included responsive safety items in their budgets, and Maiker is seeking funding for youth activities in response to feedback shared during the conversations.
Listening is only one part of the process. As concerns are reviewed, information is shared back with communities about what can be addressed, what cannot be addressed and where work may continue. Members have also shared appreciation for the community conversations, which are helping strengthen relationships between members and Maikers.
These early responses demonstrate how member experience can inform organizational priorities. They also highlight opportunities for partners and funders to support solutions that strengthen housing stability and community well-being.
Creating Pathways for Member Voice: From Conversation to Advocacy
For many members, the community conversations were not the end of the conversation, but the beginning of new opportunities to engage, advocate and lead.
Within Maiker, several members have expressed interest in the developing Community Advisory Council, which will offer another opportunity to share perspectives and help inform conversations affecting Maiker communities.
Beyond Maiker, members were encouraged to participate in Coloradoans for the Common Good, bringing their experiences into broader advocacy around issues affecting families and communities.
This growing prioritization of member voice connects directly to Pillar Five of Maiker’s 2025–2027 Strategic Plan, which focuses on creating housing stability and disrupting generational poverty through advocacy, systemic change and member-centered programs.
By creating pathways for members to use their voices within Maiker and in broader advocacy spaces, the community conversation series helped move listening toward continued involvement and collective action.
Maiker remains committed to working alongside members and community partners to elevate lived experience, strengthen housing stability and pursue systemic change throughout Adams County.