Whether you live in a large metropolitan area or a small rural town, your community is the essence of your life. It shapes who you are and how you decide to show up in the world. It influences your choices and your family’s choices. It also creates a sense of home and belonging, a feeling that relies on building strong networks.
If you’ve lived in the same area for generations, you may feel like your community is your root. Alternatively, if you’re new to the area, you may be looking for ways to build relationships and connect with those around you. Here are three tips for improving your community and the benefits of doing so.
1. Create a Third Space
“Third space” isn’t a new term, but it is gaining traction among city and community developers. Originally coined in the 1980s, the term refers to a public spot designed for people to connect regularly. When you go to a third space, you may see familiar faces and new ones as well. The purpose of these spaces is to create community outside of the home, office, or school. Third spaces can be anything from a local coffee shop to a restaurant offering scheduled trivia nights to public libraries to outdoor parks.
Since the main goal is to bring people together, third places should be accessible to everyone. An outdoor park is a prime example of a third space because it’s a relaxed, welcoming environment. It’s a destination to meet up with other parents and their children within the area, exchanging stories, tips, and commonalities while the kids play.
When thinking about which third spaces you frequent, you may already have a few that come to mind. If not, it may be worth meeting with your town representatives to suggest building or enhancing one to make it more attractive. An outdated, unused playground can get new life with some commercial playground equipment and landscaping. Make sure your messaging about why third spaces can enhance the community is clear. Organizing community meetings and getting others on board can also help advocate for the project.
2. Volunteer Your Time
Giving back to your community is one of the best ways to reap its rewards. Community service may have been a requirement for you growing up. You may have been tasked with completing so many hours before finishing high school or completing Girl or Boy Scouts. But chances are, once the requirement was met you probably didn’t raise your hand for another volunteer assignment.
However, the fact is that volunteering helps build community and leads to a stronger sense of community too. When you work alongside others, you form an instant bond and connection over the project. You meet others that you may not have naturally met, such as those from different age groups, ethnicities, and social groups. If you have children, volunteering together is also a way for them to see firsthand the importance of taking care of their local area.
Keep your eye on what type of volunteer work you or your family may be most interested in. Check your local library for listings or do a quick Google search to find ways to help out. You may decide to start with a one-off project, such as helping your church with a canned food drive. That one project may turn into a longer commitment, or you may decide to find something else. Remember, volunteering shouldn’t be something that you dread, so keep looking for opportunities that excite you or where you believe you could really make a difference.
3. Shop Locally
Yes, clicking “buy now” on Amazon may be the simplest way to get what you need, but it doesn’t necessarily help your community. Shopping locally is vital to your city or municipality’s success. It keeps money circulating within the area. In fact, recent research shows that $68 out of every $100 spent locally stays within the local economy!
Shopping locally also provides jobs to those in your neighborhood and allows you to develop bonds with local business owners. Frequent visits to the mom-and-pop hardware store may lead to a long-term bond. The next time you need something for the project, the owners will likely be enthusiastic to help you out. The same goes for shopping at the weekly farmer’s market. Soon enough, the fishmonger will know to save a piece of fresh salmon for you every Saturday.
Keep in mind that every dollar spent matters. Encourage others to shop locally by educating them on the benefits and how it can strengthen the community. Use your personal social media to share posts from some of your favorite small businesses. Instead of purchasing gift cards from big box stores or national coffee chains for your kid’s teachers, buy one from a local establishment. Each of these actions matters and can make a real impact in terms of improving your community.
Home Base
Think of your geographical community as your home base. You may belong to various other communities, from structured organizations such as churches to informal ones with friends. Online communities are also abounding, thanks to social media and technological developments. However, where you live is the epicenter for many of these communities and has a direct reflection on your overall well-being. Strengthening your community begins with you and your everyday choices.