Members of a community have a sense of trust, belonging, safety, and caring for each other. A community can be about the neighborhood you grew up in or live in now, your church family, friends, or other groups and associations. In short, we’re all part of a community. And as such, it’s important that we know we have responsibilities as community members.
After all, communities are also groups of people we can lean on and who can lean on us through good times as well as when times are challenging.
So, what part can we play in our communities? As you think about your role and what contributions you can make, consider what passions, interests, attributes, strengths, desires or gifts you have. How can we use them for the needs of other people in our communities?
All too often, we look at large organizations and systems such as schools, government, faith, law enforcement, or the nonprofit sector—to more effectively fulfill community needs.
Equally important, however, are informal communities, such as social or cultural networks of helpers and leaders at places like barbershops, hair salons, gardening clubs, gyms, youth or senior centers, book clubs, support groups, etc. Also, there’s nothing wrong with doing so, right in your neighborhood. There’s no shortage of opportunities to help.
And lower income communities and seniors rely heavily on these informal groups to spend time around other people, help them make decisions, navigate through challenging times, help with family matters, link to formal support services, and so much more.
Some of us have volunteered for many years, and in several different places. Most of my experiences, however, were comfortably tied to my employment positions. But retiring and aging gracefully has afforded me the privilege to be somewhat selfish. And I’m comfortable with this stance because I believe that when you decide to help in your community, using your passions or interests, and linking them to the needs of the community seeking help, it can be a win-win all the way around!
Again, I ask, what part can we play in our communities? As you ponder the answer, give it serious thought. Helping in our communities requires more thoughtfulness and deliberation than we typically give it. Remember that communities deserve our best when we decide to help.
During these challenging times, I believe strongly that communities need us! Why? I’m glad you asked.
Well, it’s mutually beneficial. Being part of a broad, diverse group gives you a lot of opportunities to learn from different cultures. You get to learn about the traditions and values of each culture, an advantage that will help you connect with other people and maybe even discover new things about yourself. It helps us feel connected to others and part of something larger than ourselves. It offers learning opportunities. It provides a sense of belonging, identity, and support. It strengthens cooperation and fosters empathy and compassion. These are some things to consider before joining a community. I encourage you to establish the things that are important to you before joining a community. By recognizing and embracing the benefits of our communities, we can become stronger, healthier, and more connected. Our communities need us! ■