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Relocating to another country from the place you've always known as home is a very big step regardless of the reason behind it. And if you are without family, friends, or a trusted companion in your new country, then finding a safe and supportive community is without question a major priority. So, in keeping with our mission of Building Pathways to Success for American Immigrants, one of the ways we strive to fill that need is by offering community support to our students. Because we know the value of belonging to a supportive community, we strive to provide students with a healthy network of local connections and resources to help them successfully adjust to American life and thrive as new citizens.
What is a community?
In simple terms, a community is an organized group of people who have something in common. Communities may take on a variety of forms and are built on a variety of shared characteristics, such as similar hobbies, culture, location, or identity. Whether they are official institutions, like schools, churches, or community service organizations, or informal groups, like carpools or study groups, they all revolve around relationships with other people and a sense of community. And the effects on mental health may be profound, because studies have shown that people may feel more alone and isolated when they don’t have community.
For those who belong to disadvantaged or underrepresented groups who may not have access to or feel comfortable in established organizations that have a history of unfairness, informal groups in particular are a valuable resource. Informal gathering places like barbershops or online forums may develop into incredibly valuable sources of community for people who are looking for safe, welcoming environments.
Why else is community important?
Building a community and fostering the social connections and support necessary to engage in more sensitive conversations are two methods that will keep you mentally healthy. People may better understand one another, come together to solve problems, and find the support they need to get through difficult times by creating environments where open conversation is safe and encouraged.
Because they frequently serve as a significant source of social connection and a sense of belonging, strong communities are necessary and important. And having those interpersonal ties, friendships, and emotional and practical support comes from belonging to a group. Living a meaningful life requires being a part of a group of people who share similar attitudes, beliefs, and aspirations. They can provide us needed perspective and fresh ways to look at the world.
How do I get started?
Everybody needs community, and the best part about communities is that you can help them just by being active within them. Simply being present may improve your life, the lives of others, and help organizations and society become more resilient. The following list gives you a few resources you can use to find community support in your area:
Start paying attention to the flyers and posters tacked up on public phones, light posts, and gas stations, as well as on bulletin boards in coffee shops, public libraries, fitness centers, laundry mats, hardware stores, grocery stores, and hobby shops
Check the major newspaper in your city or town for event listings
Check the websites of community centers in your area
Check the official municipal website for community events
Check the websites of local venues that frequently hold events
Check Google or other search engines for "community groups near me"
Check Meetup.com, which is dedicated to both listing and helping people find community groups that are centered around specific hobbies and interests
Although this is by no means an exhaustive list of resources, it does give you a good place to start if you're interested and looking for community support in your area. Whatever you do, do not be afraid to try something new, because you are now living in a new country. Therefore, you should expect for many things to be new and unfamiliar. And who knows? In addition to meeting new people with similar interests, you may also learn about some hidden talents and skills that you never knew were already in you.
Copyright 2022 Gateway ESL.
*For more information, please contact us at 1-855-2-ENGLISH or info@gatewayesl.com.
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