The Importance of Community
Aaron Burrick, LISCW
As therapists, we value the importance of connection. From our families to our communities to the natural world around us, there is both power and healing in being a part of something greater than ourselves. These connections, whether fleeting or long-lasting, can give us a sense of belonging and reduce feelings of shame or isolation. They allow us to connect more deeply with ourselves. They remind us that, even on our hardest days, we are surrounded by life and never alone.
In the spirit of finding ways to connect, our practice came together to create a list of accessible, low-cost, and fun ways to become involved with your local community and surroundings. Take a look, and please let us know how you’re staying connected with the world around you!
I. Connecting with Nature
Experiencing the outdoors is a powerful way to feel connected to something much bigger than ourselves. Surrounded by age-old trees, elusive wildlife, and thousands of species of plants, we realize just how much life exists around us. Spending time in nature, exploring a new park or hiking trail, geocaching, and having an outdoor picnic are all great ways to become immersed in the natural world.
Similarly, Seattle’s P-Patch community gardening program gives us the opportunity to cultivate plant life with our own hands and collaborate with other gardeners. This program is particularly impactful as these community harvests are donated to support others through Seattle’s local food banks. Seattle’s Tilth Alliance also offers volunteer opportunities (and a variety of classes and summer camps) related to gardening, growing your own food, and increasing access to organic fruits and vegetables. Through community gardening and similar programs, our teamwork and involvement yield tangible, edible produce that directly supports the lives of those around us.
II. Connecting as a Volunteer
Seattle’s gardening program is one of many ways that we can connect with our community through volunteering. Our city is filled with opportunities to connect with others over a shared goal, give back to those around us, and leave a positive impact on our communities. The Seattle Public Library allows teens to offer reading and writing tutoring to younger students. The Seattle Aquarium, Swedish Hospital system, and EarthCorps (an environmental clean-up program) also offer volunteer opportunities for high school-aged teenagers. Local food banks accept volunteers starting at twelve years old.
For the animal lovers in our midst, Redmond’s therapeutic equestrian center Little Bit accepts both individual and small groups of volunteers at their facility. Seattle Humane Society also accepts volunteers for everything from administrative tasks to veterinary clinics. And for those traveling back to the Northwest after a vacation, the Oregon-based Street Dog Hero offers the opportunity to escort a rescue dog to a local foster family (or perhaps into your own) at zero cost. All of these opportunities provide a “double whammy” of building community while also experiencing the calming, brain-boosting effects of spending time with horses, dogs, and other animals.
III. Connection-Building Activities
As a group of therapists, our clients have shared a variety of ways that they’ve connected with others and become more involved with their communities. For folks interested in board gaming, the Seattle Go Center offers weekly, open invitation gatherings to play one of the world’s oldest strategy games. Mox Boading House and Queen Anne’s Blue Highway Games also offer open play spaces, Pokemon and Magic: The Gathering nights, and a variety of meetups for those curious about or experienced within the very awesome world of Dungeons and Dragons.
Athletics can also provide connection with others while simultaneously boosting mental health through exercise. Some folks have thrived in the disciplined, communal space of martial arts. Others have built friendships through indoor rock climbing, parkour classes, and even roller derby. For those looking to turn up the heat and try something new, Seattle’s Lawless Forge offers blacksmithing classes that build confidence and self-awareness through the use of fire. For other communities based around art and creativity, take a look at Coyote Central’s pay-what-works-for-you design classes and the diverse youth and teen programming available through the Gage Academy of Art. And if you’d rather pick up an electric drill than a paint brush, Seattle Makers offers a makerspace where no idea is too big and there’s always the right tool for the job.
Lastly, remember to check out your local neighborhood association and community center. From first aid courses to cultural celebrations to child care opportunities, these local venues are ideal for connecting beyond ourselves and living in community. They remind us that we live surrounded by others, and that much of our well-being comes from connecting beyond ourselves. They remind us that we learn, grow, and live best when we are together.