It comes as no surprise that there are many pressing issues facing communities today. Homelessness, inequality, and racism are only a few of the top concerns that directly impact America’s most susceptible neighborhoods. With so much pushback, it can feel impossible to not only face these issues but turn them around. That’s where social impact comes in.
What is Social Impact?
Social impact is a significant and positive change resulting from deliberate activities and intentional efforts toward a common goal. While the results are impactful, an argument can be made that the connections developed as communities work together to accomplish a shared goal are the true positive change achieved through social impact.
The process involved, including discussing outcomes in an open and honest forum, evaluating both positive and negative possibilities, and confronting the large and small steps the community must take, creates a sense of cohesion and belonging. How can communities increase their social impact, and why is it important? We will discuss these questions further in the article below.
Social Impact And Its Effect On Communities
This article delves into the critical role of social impact in transforming lives and communities, emphasizing the importance of kindness, mentorship, and shared experiences in the pursuit of meaningful connections.
The Importance of Social Connections
We spoke briefly about why social connections are important, but gaining a deeper understanding of their impact is essential to powerful social impact.
For thousands of years, social connections have been the lifeblood of thriving communities, and it wasn’t until recently that we’ve seen a dramatic shift from this lifestyle. As little as a hundred years ago, neighborhoods were built around a central hub, with everyone joining together once or twice a week to worship, celebrate an occasion, or socialize just for fun. Everyone knew and supported each other, and it was common for the entire community to rally behind each other to complete a specific task.
This mindset penetrated every aspect of life, from childrearing to harvesting to traveling. The community protected and watched out for itself, and in return, it thrived.
Fast forward to today, when many people have no idea who their neighbors are, let alone have the type of relationship where they can ask them for support. We no longer live in small neighborhoods where we can get together and work as one. Instead, we live in large cities with thousands of people.
We’ve lost connection with each other, and it shows. There are communities where houses are falling down, education systems are failing, and residents have no one to turn to. These areas are forgotten and, unless they stand together as one, will never recover.
While disheartening, hope isn’t lost. All it takes are a few community members to stand up and proclaim, “We matter!” and start working toward a change. This metamorphosis begins at the grassroots level, with the most basic of notions: treating each other with kindness in everyday interactions.
Regaining our humanity and remembering that our neighbors have the same struggles and feel the same pain but also experience the same joy can open our eyes. Adding thoughtfulness and kindness back into our daily routine will bring light back into our communities, which is the only way to push back the dark.
Kindness extends to helping and mentoring others by sharing our experiences and knowledge to help guide the lost. Too often in life, one or two decisions can derail us, leading to hopelessness and complacency.
These two emotions strangle motivation and self-esteem, causing the individual to give up. By walking alongside the hurting and encouraging them while providing practical measures they can take to better their situation, we can begin transforming our communities and taking back what was lost.
How can social connections transform lives? Listen to Stephen’s story.
Growing up, Stephen never really connected with others his age. As a result, he always felt like an outcast. After college, he decided he no longer wanted to spend his life wishing it were different and got involved with a local community outreach program. “Almost immediately, I began meeting people that lived in my neighborhood that I’d never seen before,” Stephen recalls. “It was so empowering to see there were others just like me who wanted to find someone to connect with but didn’t know how.”
After a while, Stephen no longer felt cut off but embraced his role as an active member of his community. “Without the social connections I made by stepping out of my comfort zone, I would still be the same isolated and sad person i was for years.
Connecting with others in your community and building social connections is life-changing. Just like Stephen, it can help you break free from the bondage of isolation and develop deep, meaningful connections with those around you.
The Power of Connection
Expanding upon the state of current neighborhoods, isolation has caused a division within communities.
While relationships between one or two individuals are common, when we limit ourselves to such small support systems, we fail to reach our full potential. There is power in numbers, which is why bringing communities together as a whole is the key to true transformation. The more people that share a common goal, the stronger and wider the social impact.
While there is still a long way to go, there are indications that communities are realizing this idea. For example, after the death of George Floyd, communities around the nation stood up in solidarity with each other, proclaiming their right to fair and equal treatment.
We see it as women raised their voices during the Me Too movement and in response to Roe Vs. Wade. While these examples are on a national scale, there are smaller examples emerging.
Local communities are rising up against failing school systems, demanding their children receive the quality education they deserve. They are no longer sitting back and waiting for the government to bring a change; they are joining together, identifying their community needs, and taking action.
Taking Action in Your Community
Change begins at home, and it only takes one spark to start a fire. If you’re ready to help others in your community and begin expanding your neighborhood’s social impact, there are everyday simple yet powerful steps you can take.
Practicing Responsible Consumerism
As a consumer, where you put your money matters. Global conglomerates may offer lower prices on the surface, but shopping with them comes with a much steeper cost. These superstores act like parasites in a community, stripping away jobs from local businesses and taking away a neighborhood’s charm and individuality.
One way you can support your community is by shopping locally. When you make a purchase at a local small business, that money goes directly back into the community, supporting your neighbors and providing an economic boost. While you may not be able to shop entirely at local businesses, the more you can support these hard-working men and women, the better.
Foster Connection Through Service
Serving others is one of the most powerful ways to build communities, as your shared goals and actions bring you closer.
The best way to break down social barriers, promote inclusivity, and regain a sense of humanity is by working alongside your neighbor and connecting to something greater than yourself. Not only will you learn more about who you are, but you will gain a deeper appreciation for those around you, which is the driving force behind seeking a better tomorrow.
Volunteering
Volunteering is offering your time, free of charge, to help others and improve your community. This act of service has a tremendous impact both locally and globally, as over one billion people volunteer worldwide. In fact, across America, over 64 million volunteers offer their time, equalling around $139 billion in equivalent funds. The social impact of volunteerism cannot be understated. Below are some surprising facts:
- Those who volunteer their time have a 27% greater chance of finding employment.
- 77% of volunteers claim that offering their time contributes to improved mental health.
- Volunteering has helped 19% of volunteers learn new skills and techniques.
These are just a few of the many ways volunteering empowers individuals in their day-to-day lives. Imagine what could happen if an entire community began volunteering their time in their community, working toward a common goal, and prioritizing the needs of their neighbors as a whole.
Below is an inspiring story of an individual who saw a need in their community and decided to step up and play their part.
As a young child in Hawaii, Mercedes fondly recalls her father taking her family downtown to hand out cheeseburgers to the homeless. This seemingly simple act ignited a passion inside her, and she grew up continuing to volunteer her time to help combat food insecurity.
Eventually, Mercedes founded a local food pantry named the Crimson Cupboard on her campus at the University of Indiana. Although she has since graduated, Mercedes continues to volunteer at homeless shelters throughout Indianapolis, working diligently to help those in need. When thinking about younger years as a volunteer, Mercedes reflects, “That was two and a half years ago, but moments like those stick with me to this very day.”
That is only one out of thousands of similar stories from normal people who discovered the difference volunteering makes in their lives and communities. There are countless numbers of ways you can get involved in your area, and how you volunteer depends on the needs of your community. Common volunteer opportunities include:
- Environmental (beach or roadside cleaning, working with shelters)
- Disaster relief (the Red Cross, churches, first responders)
- Food banks and shelters
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion groups
- Community development (teaching, men’s and women’s groups, community organizations)
- Connecting supporting elders (Indigenous people, seniors)
If you’re unsure where to start, why not speak with your neighbors and see if they know of any needs in the community? Chances are, there is someone near you who would greatly benefit from a helping hand, a hot meal, or even a companion to sit and talk with them for a few hours a week. Don’t underestimate the power of these simple acts of kindness and how they can impact the community at large.
Volunteering your time is one of the single most impactful actions you can take to drive positive social impact. By offering your time to help others, you can reconnect with your community and find shared goals. There is power in coming together, and the social impact it creates has the potential to not only change a neighborhood but to transform the world.
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