7 Ideas for Building a Stronger Community

If you haven’t figured it out by now, building strong communities through involvement by all is a big deal for me. I was fortunate to grow up in a city at a time when everyone knew each other and helped each other out. It was a great place to grow up. Unfortunately, such a small-town feel seems to be a rarity these days. Can you imagine how much better daily life would be if positive news was spread more rapidly than negative or depressing stories and people were happy to congregate in their front yards and porches again? It is certainly something I would like my children to experience in their life times. This goal may seem to be a long way off, but taking small steps consistently toward the environment you want can make a big difference.

Here are some suggestions for making a positive difference in the lives around you:
1) Take a few minutes to talk to a neighbor you have seen and maybe smiled at but never shared a conversation.
2) Walk around the block or through a nearby park. You may meet people you would never have met otherwise.
3) Research local organizations looking for volunteers. Volunteer Match can be a good resource for finding local opportunities.
4) Subscribe to a local newspaper. You will learn of upcoming local events you could attend and businesses looking for customers.
5) Check out reviews on Yelp to find local businesses recommended by others. I have found a great massage therapist, many delicious restaurants and a place for alterations through this site.
6) Start a neighborhood watch program. Contact your local police department to find out how. Officers are usually available to come out and speak to your neighborhood group on a variety of topics.
7) Hold a community garage sale. Pass flyers out before the planned day, ask everyone in the neighborhood to participate and coordinate advertising on Craigslist as well as local papers.

Connections are vitally important. Everyone wants to feel they belong somewhere. Go out of your way to build at least one connection today and everyday. You will be so glad that you did.

If you have other ideas for building stronger communities, please share them. Thanks!