Community Involvement and Wellness...
/The past few years have been stressful for many of us. In addition to the pandemic, concerns about politics, social issues, and climate change weigh heavily on our minds. As someone who is intentional about wellness, you may be more aware of these issues than most people.
If you are really feeling these stresses and divisions, you might be wondering what you can do, not only for yourself and your family, but for your neighbors. One option for dealing with these feelings is getting involved with your community.
Community involvement can be a little different from volunteering for a cause that you are passionate about or within a religious or spiritual community. Getting involved with civic institutions or issues in which all of your neighbors have a stake helps you to get out of your bubble, encounter new people and perspectives, and serve all of your neighbors.
Why Community Involvement Is Important
Communities are made up of people, specifically people who are also neighbors. While they certainly are professionals who provide governance and services in your area, a lot of the heavy lifting of making a community a positive place to live is done by neighbors.
Getting involved helps your community in several ways:
You support the efforts of your elected and appointed officials to keep your community functioning.
Engaged community members get to know each other and develop supportive relationships.
Many community institutions need the help of volunteers, board members, and engaged residents to operate efficiently.
As someone who is passionate about wellness, you have an opportunity to bring your positive, healthy energy to both your neighbors and the organization or organizations in which you serve!
Ideas for Community Involvement
Thinking about where you could make a difference? Consider the following ideas:
Become an election judge. Many areas need individuals who are willing to staff the polls on election day. Typically, you’ll undergo a day of training and may even receive a stipend for your service.
Volunteer at your library. Libraries often rely on volunteers to assist the librarians and techs with library tasks, help with fundraising, and staff special events.
Run for a position on your Local School Council. Not all areas have Local School Councils, but the city of Chicago does. These elected councils can have a significant impact on local schools and you don’t have to be a parent of a student to sit on the council.
Get involved with emergency and disaster services. Emergencies and disasters affect whole communities: Trained, knowledgeable volunteers are critical to an effective response. The Red Cross, Community Emergency Response Teams, Medical Reserve Corps, and the Civil Air Patrol are just a few examples of organizations that are eager for new volunteers.
Park districts, hospitals, food pantries, community gardens, and schools are other organizations that often rely on volunteer efforts and offer opportunities to get involved!
One Final Thought…
Self-care is an essential part of wellness. However, self-care isn’t just about self-nurturance. It also acknowledges the social aspects of being human and the ways in which we are interconnected with others. Civic engagement and community involvement allows us to care for ourselves while also taking responsibility for the communities we live in.
