Here are entertaining and memorable ways to have your social-distancing residents engage with you even when they can’t leave their apartments.

A strong sense of community is a hallmark of a WC Smith property, and during these tough times, forming and maintaining connections for all has become a challenge.

So, this spring, WC Smith residents at Avec on H Street in Washington, D.C., are enjoying a lineup of fun events, including cooking lessons and an instructor teaching the most popular TikTok dances.

“Many apartment communities in the city are using virtual technology to connect residents during the crisis, such as by offering online fitness classes,” says Holli Beckman, Vice President of Marketing and Leasing Operations for WC Smith. “We wanted to do something different to engage our residents, as well as provide a means for us to support D.C. businesses.”

The month kicked off with St. Anselm Executive Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley presenting to residents. She walked them through how to prepare a classic steak dinner with creamed spinach and baked potato. The 30-minute lesson drew engaging questions from the residents: Can I use a different cut of steak? Should I marinate the meat first? Approximately 25 residents were steady participants with additional people jumping on and off the videocast.

“We love St Anselm’s and couldn’t pass up being taught from the person behind its delicious menu,” resident Emily Timm says. “Having the ability to do something special during a time when so many luxuries have been taken away is a true joy. We cannot wait to take part in the other classes.”

This week, WC Smith welcomed Ruby Terese, from Diva Dance DC, as its instructor to demonstrate several of the popular TikTok dances such as “The Renegade” and “The Savage.” Approximately 20 residents participated.

“This challenge fit my personality perfectly!” resident Cierra Branch-Harris says. “Anytime I can get up a dance to get my mind off of everything that’s happening in the world right now, I’m in! Thank you Avec for adding a smile to my day.”

Beckman advises that communities “leverage an expert.” She engaged Resessential to coordinate the events. They are an experience agency that provide brand activations and in-person (and now virtual) events.

Brandon Howard is the contact at Ressessential, a firm that can connect clients to “Top Chef” contestants, sports figures or Real Housewives. Depending on the talent, costs for events like these range from $300 to $1,500.

Beckman says there have been lessons learned for her so far.

“Marketing is a little different during COVID-19,” Beckman says. “Sure, people are looking for things to do, but you also have countless brands and celebrities offering events. Make sure you aren’t competing with Lady Gaga’s concert or even the local favorite musician doing their Facebook Live event.

“Leverage other channels to drive people to the event. I even had my community manager send out a calendar invite. When we’re all stuck at home the days and hours can blend together and it’s easy to miss an event you want to attend. The calendar invite is old school but it helps people remember.

“If you are doing a longer series of events, have a weekly post that reminds people of the immediate…no one is really thinking long-term right now.

Beckman says having staff members engaged as well is key. “It’s just like in person resident events in that the residents will look to the site team to be the host and introduce them to folks, be the first one in the conga line, etc.,” she says.

“The same thing needs to happen during virtual events. For instance, last week during the cooking event, Chef Marjorie asked if there were any questions. At first it was radio silence. Then, one of my team members asked a basic cooking question. Once she did, about eight residents joined the conversation. The residents just didn’t want to go first.”

The next two events are “Drink With Us” with demonstrations on how to craft trendy, new cocktails; and “Create With Us” where an artist will teach soothing watercolor techniques.

Avec is French for “With,” and the events are aptly named.

All participants receive special-edition “Kindness is Contagious” shirts. Proceeds from sales of the shirt benefit a local group supporting hospitality industry workers and their families.

Residents are encouraged to share their pictures, tag Avec and use the hashtag #AtHomeWithAvec in their Instagram posts. Avec staff will choose their favorite post each week and that lucky resident will win a $50 gift certificate to a local neighborhood business so that the community can continue to support our neighbors.

Located on H St. NE between 8^th and 10^th Streets NE, Avec is a 419-unit, market-rate building featuring luxury studio, 1- and 2-bedroom apartments. The first residents took occupancy in late January.

WC Smith manages more than 11,000 rental, condominium and cooperative units valued in excess of $3.5 billion.