The last time I posted about how to grow a positive community I talked about neighborhood block parties. Today I’ve got some basic tips that can help you build community connections for you and your family.

The main point is that you don’t need to re-create the wheel or start huge projects to better connect with other families and individuals in your community. Community connections already likely exist and sometimes starting with small steps is best

• Locate and explore groups that exist in and close-in to your community.
• Establish a regular time for neighborhood members to get together. Even a once a month potluck is better than not connecting at all.
• Once in a while skip the basic get-together and plan a new activity. If the weather is warm pack up the families and head down to the nearest lake for an early evening barbecue and swim. Or build a campfire.
• Don’t forget that some people in your community are single and some aren’t parents. Still, these are members of your community; so get to know them.
• Work together with other community members to come up with an easy project; like a garbage clean up or picnic table painting party at the local park.

When we all work together to create community, we build a stronger base for our children and better support system for us all.