HOW TO MAKE AN IMPACT IN YOUR COMMUNITY
When it comes to the thought of making a difference, you may find yourself getting stuck in big ideas. However, it is what you do in your community that can make a positive difference. Here are some practical ways in which you can intervene and transform your community positively.
Focus on local needs
There are gaps in every community. For example:
- There is a park to clean
- A school in need of reading volunteers
- A shelter in need of supplies.
Begin with a question: What does my neighborhood really need at this moment?
What you can do: Visit or call a local food bank, library, or school. Then volunteer to find out what their biggest current need is. Pledge to fill it in any way you can:
- Donating supplies
- Giving your time
- Contributing what you can to help.
Support local businesses
The effect of spending money in local shops, restaurants, and markets is transmitted. It achieves the following:
- Retains local jobs
- Boosts the local economy
- Keeps neighborhoods going.
What you can do: Choose one local company you will patronize instead of going to a chain store. Leave a review, bring a friend, or share their work online. It is these little changes that sustain societies.
Mentor or teach
Impact is not just giving money, but sharing knowledge. You might be an expert in the field of cooking, finance, coding, or carpentry. Somebody in your community is in need of your expertise.
Something you can do:
- Volunteer to tutor a learner
- Organize a free skills session in the library
- Be part of a mentoring program.
The information that you have may transform another person.
Participate in or initiate a community project
Societies are better when there is cooperation on common objectives. It may be a community garden, a watch in a neighborhood, or an event.
Two things you can do:
Go to one town hall or community association meeting this month. In case something is lacking, bring it up and make people revolve around the concept. It could be the lack of safe playgrounds, cultural events, and environmental activities.
Become a change agent
Other times, contributing means putting in effort to a policy or a decision that can make life better for all. It can be safer crosswalks, improved transportation, or affordable housing. Whatever the case may be, your voice will be heard.
You can do this:
- Write your city councilor about one thing you are concerned about.
- Get signatures of neighbors to demonstrate solidarity.
Policy-level change usually begins when one person champions for change. Through her career, Karen McLeave crown attorney has proven that community impact is not always about charity or volunteer work. It could also be about being fair, being just, and doing the right thing. Her work illustrates that dedicating your professional abilities toward the benefit of the people will leave an indelible mark.
Develop true connections
Lastly, never underestimate the effectiveness of just saying hi to the people around you. Good relationships make great communities.
What you can do:
- Get to know your neighbors, if you haven’t already.
- Organize a block party or even a group message that your street can use.
When people know and trust one another, it is easier for them to gather in times of need.