5 Tips to Get Your Kids Involved in the Community
Kids can’t care about people they’ve never seen. Showing up values others and connects children to the community they’re part of. These are my five tried and tested tips on getting involved in my community with my two kids.
Connect beyond comfort
Connect with your community by moving toward people groups you don’t already see and know. Start by attending events that don’t directly support your children’s school, hobbies, or faith.
2. Show Up
Go to other people’s celebrations, memorials, and worship events. Showing up is the easiest way to learn more about your neighbors. When someone throws out the welcome mat to join in celebrating, accept the invitation. You never know where your “yes” might lead.
3. Volunteer once a month
Building relationships helps you get to know your neighbors who happen to be experiencing something different than your family. Maybe they’re experiencing homelessness, are food insecure, or need more people in their life. When we see each other, we see past each other’s hurdles or circumstances. We have more in common than we knew.
4. Visit your library
Visit your library. Ask for books on your town’s history. Learn who lived on the land—where are they now? Who immigrated there? Getting to know your town’s story will lead to learning about who makes up your community.
5. Find who needs your support
Reach out to groups that have had less access to freedoms and safety from violence. Consider connecting with synagogues, mosques, Black churches, indigenous groups, or LGBTQ communities.