As Indianapolis locals, we have learned the importance of connecting with the community around us. Getting involved helps you feel rooted in the community and connected to those around you. Plus, it can benefit more than just yourself. If you’re new to a community, connecting can help you feel more welcome in the new area. If you’ve been around for a while, don’t worry – it’s never too late to get involved, and it can be a lot easier than it seems. Here are our top six ways to start connecting with your community.
Make an Effort to Meet the People Around You
Let’s start off simple. Meeting people around you is the first step to understanding who lives in your community and how you fit into it. Whether it’s going for a walk and greeting the people you pass, bringing over cookies to a neighbor’s house or mingling with the people in line at the grocery store, making your face known around the community can help you fit in and better understand the different types of people in the area. It’s likely that these little connections will lead to bigger, more meaningful connections later on.
Attend Community Events
Even if you live in a small town, community events are ever-present and super diverse. A simple google search can help you seek out community events that pique your interest. If you’re an Indy local, we make things even easier by promoting local events on our Twitter page each month. Experiencing old, community traditions, or being one of the first attendees at a new event, helps you meet new people, get involved and have fun!
Look Into Local Issues
A big part of connecting with your community is understanding what’s happening in it. If local issues aren’t apparent, try asking around your neighborhood or town hall in order to uncover any hidden issues that are impacting the lives of the people in your community. Getting a better understanding and taking action helps ensure that everyone in your community is happy and healthy. Plus, it feels great to help make a change!
Support Local Businesses
Connecting with the community doesn’t just mean boosting morale, it means boosting business! Changes in your shopping habits, both small and large, can make changes in the community that will come full-circle. Opting to go to the local farm stand rather than the grocery store, shopping at local boutiques or even turning to a small agency that has been established in the community can boost business and your connection to the community.
Form or Join a Group
Creating deeper connections with those around you through a group allows you to meet people in the community with similar interests. Look around local pages online or postings around town to see if something like the YMCA or a local bible study pique your interest. If you can’t find a group you want to join, start your own! Post ads or round up people you already know to start the local group that tickles your fancy. This helps diversify the community and its offerings.
Always Stay Updated
Especially in a big city, things can change fast! Avoid feeling out of the loop by joining pages or keeping updated with the people around. Nobody wants to be the last person to hear about a community change. Staying updated can lead to proactive decisions and actions that can better you and the community.
Connecting with the community is easier than it seems and can lead to big changes. For more resources, head over to your community’s website. Don’t forget to check out Burkhart’s website for more information on our local business and upcoming community events in the Indianapolis area.
