Ways to Contribute in Building Community

Individual actions and collective efforts...

So you want to help build community, but you don't know how. That's fine. There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to it. The most important thing, however, is to start.

So first, where do you start? You start small. Begin with what you are familiar with, in the close-knit spaces you inhabit day by day. Start in your neighborhood, your school, your church, or the small groups you belong to. Contribute in the spaces where you feel at ease, and commit to being there. Eventually, your efforts will multiply and your reach will expand.

Ways to Contribute

A major part of being in any community is contributing to it, and there are several ways to contribute to any community you find yourself in. Each community has distinct needs and unique problems. For us to better serve in these spaces, we have to be aware of the needs of the community. This is how we gain an understanding of what we can do to help.

These ways we've listed here are just guides; examples of the efforts we can all make to better our communities.

Contributing to the creation and maintenance of community spaces.

Free and open community spaces like recreational parks and libraries have always been centers of communal activity. It is our responsibility to ensure that these spaces are created and maintained. We can donate in cash or kind, or volunteer to support projects that ensure free, safe, and open spaces are available to all. It can be something as simple as putting a wooden bench under a tree for passersby or something as grand as starting your own library project. There's always something to do!

Donating your time or money to community-based projects.

There are many projects led by nonprofits with the aim of helping communities. Donating an hour of your time or a few extra notes off your income goes a long way in helping sustain projects focused on community building. Look for and reach out to foundations like the OTL Foundation to learn more about how best you can support them.

Starting your own community-based projects.

Yes, exactly as it sounds. There are so many areas in communities that require support and initiative. All you have to do is locate a subject that resonates with you and assemble like-minded people to join in. It's that simple! You can start your own fitness club, moderate your own book club, start a community recipe-sharing platform online, or even a student support group. There will never be too many projects to begin. Every single one is important. Use the tools at your disposal to create something that will impact the lives of people around you, even if it is just two people. You may not know it, but you're already a champion of community building.

General acts of kindness.

Community is built in a safe and empathetic environment. We must be kind, as a kind community is a safe one. When was the last time you paid the fare of a child on the bus? Or helped a neighbor carry some items into their house? Or gave water to a thirsty passerby? All these acts are small, but they make an indelible mark in the minds of those who receive them. Every day we wake up, we must endeavor to do at least one kind deed. That is how we build a good community.

Educating yourselves.

The importance of this cannot be stressed enough. If you have a free 30 minutes on your commute or in your day, use it to read a book or an article. Use it to start a free online course (on free sites like Alison) or watch an informative video. Learn about leadership, community work, and groups. Learn more in the areas you love. Pick up a new skill or start a productive hobby. The more you learn, the more you know, and the more you can teach others. Acquiring knowledge is a lifelong commitment, and a community with members focused on improving themselves and helping others improve is a progressive community.

Advocacy and raising awareness.

There are a lot of problems that remain problems only because they are suffered in isolation and silence. Bringing the attention of people to a problem in your community and speaking on behalf of those who cannot is the mark of a true community builder. Due to our limitations, we cannot solve every problem ourselves but we can ensure the problems reach the right authorities. Let us use the power of social media, print media, and all tools available to raise awareness of the issues that plague our communities. Resist the urge to be apathetic to the plight of individuals within your environment.

Organizing events.

There used to be that one house in the neighborhood that threw a block party on special occasions for children and people in the neighborhood. What these events did was bring people together to celebrate and have fun. Events like these are necessary for promoting unity and providing unique networking opportunities. Whenever we have the capacity to do so, let us organize parties, training sessions, workshops, and other events that are open to all. We should also actively seek out and take advantage of such events whenever they are organized and attend them.

Giving

If it hasn't already been established, giving is a key part of community building. We need to give our time, money, knowledge, and other items like clothes, food, toiletries, and groceries. Many people have to make do with little income and resources, limiting their access, growth, and potential. It is our collective responsibility to bridge that gap. Give to those who are in need. Don't wait until you have an abundance. Give the little you can spare, and your community will be better for it. Give to people, projects, foundations, and organizations, and never stop giving. Once you start, you will realize how rewarding it is.

These are just a few ways to contribute to this great commission of community building. Remember that it takes time and continued effort to build the community that we want. All the small individual actions we put in accumulate into a large collective effort. The most important parts are starting and ensuring that you never give up.

So what are you waiting for? Take action today!