How to get more involved in your community

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of belonging. Humans are social animals and wanting to be part of a community where there’s support and a feeling of shared responsibility for the well-being of others is almost an instinctive need.

However, sometimes circumstances can make you feel like you’re on the outside looking in. Perhaps you’re newly single, missing a partner who has recently passed away or living in a new and unfamiliar city or neighborhood.

Those can certainly be challenging situations to face. Happily, there are simple ways to make yourself feel more a part of your community, to create a sense of community if you don’t have one and to make where you live warm and welcoming for others.

How to feel connected and connect with others

• Step outside and say hello. Take a stroll after dinner and stop to have a short conversation with at least one person you meet along the way.
• Introduce yourself if you’re new to the neighborhood, and make a point of welcoming others as they move in.
• Check online to find out where the nearest blood donor clinic is to you, then recruit friends and neighbors to join you as you give the gift of life.
• Beautify neglected public spaces in your community by getting friends and neighbors to help you prep gardens or planters for summer beauty. Just be sure to check with your city or town first.
• Build a Little Free Library for your front yard and share your love of books with those around you.
• Support local shops whenever you can. It’s important to patronize independent stores (many of which are often owned and run by people living within your community) because it keeps those businesses healthy and thriving.
• Participate in community events. Check notice boards in your building, community center or local coffee shop to find out about fun events in which you might want to participate.
• Support your child or grandchild’s school. Go to bake sales, volunteer to help with clubs and go on field trips.
• Lend a hand with projects happening in your community, such as food or clothing drives or community gardens to help with food insecurity.
• Rally others in support of a good cause. Foresters Financial™ members can use a Foresters Community Volunteer grant as seed money to organize a volunteer activity for a local charitable organization. Members can also help their community with a $200 Foresters Care™ grant.

Real members making an impact

Two Foresters members, Rodney H. and Cinthya B., both used their grants and a bit of their time to make a difference in their communities. Each of them focused on helping provide meals and groceries to college students in need. Rodney and Cinthya supplied their local college food pantries with different non-perishable foods that students can grab to ensure they have meals for the week ahead.

Just by providing groceries, both members made a real impact on the lives of students in need. Rodney put it all in perspective by saying, “If you do not have $5 or $10 to try to, you know, prepare a meal for yourself, that meal that you can get for free is huge. It’s a huge deal.”

Discover the inspiring stories of Rodney and Cinthya, and the ways they give back to students. See how a little help really can change a life.

Do more with Foresters

You can help influence change at Foresters and in your community as a member leader, what Foresters refers to a Branch Councillor. Helping to shape our organization and working alongside other members to do good in your community – while making amazing things happen for yourself – is a fantastic opportunity! Learn more about member leadership within Foresters.