Community: What is it and Where is it?

About two months ago I was asked to comment on "What Makes a Canadian Community Great" for a cross-Canada Globe and Mail article. The article said that: "In Nova Scotia, 24-year-old Swantje Jahn is trying to make her city more accepting of newcomers through her work as the community engagement co-ordinator for the Halifax Refugee Clinic." and "...  she works to create new communities by introducing her clients to the people of Halifax and vice versa. Next week, she will hold a baby shower for a newcomer from Iraq, the gifts provided by local moms motivated by a shared experience that transcends nationality. “We have so many differences, but at our core, we all want the same thing: We all want to belong,” Ms. Jahn says. “That’s what community is.”


The interview made me think hard about community. Is it just another feel good word used to give meaning to an undefinable experience? Does the act of defining community actually cause division rather than inclusion? What communities do I belong to? And the really hard question....What have I done for my community lately? I don't have all the answers. But, in my heart I know that  it is not possible to build community alone. Just because I believe in and work for stronger, safer and sustainable communities does not mean that they magically appear. Just because it Should be so, doesn't make it so. Community is a collective effort. Community means nothing unless we give it meaning. 


The baby shower mentioned in the article, was made possible by a community of caring women, volunteers, friends, and people who wanted to help. Busy moms took the time to trek to our store front office pushing a stroller and bags of baby items. Impressive, not just the amount of items that were generously given, but also the amount of energy that was invested. There was music, there was food, there was laughter. Love is in the details and our community loves to help.  They walked the distance, they made a difference. The result? Well I think this thank you note we received from the expecting parents a few days later, says it all: 


"It's really sweet of you, the clinic and the people who helped us and
gave us the happiness and comfort and made us forget the stress and
sadness we had before. We don't feel we are alone any more.

Now, we are really waiting to see the baby. You (All the people who
helped even with a smile) are making this experience really awesome.
Thanks our dear friends."

What makes a community great? When people no longer feel alone. When stangers become friends.


Community is what you make it. So lets make our communities the best they can be, lets welcome those who are new, lets help those who need help,  lets foster friendships rather than enemies, lets grow rather then hide, lets love rather than fear. 


Community is everything, and not possible without you.  


Have a great weekend and Happy Friday to you :)






To learn more about the work of the Halifax Refugee Clinic please check out: www.halifaxrefugeeclinic.org


To read what Community means to lots of inspiring young people across Canada check out:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/time-to-lead/what-makes-a-community-great/article2082694/?utm_medium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=National&utm_content=2082694