Ways to Get Involved in Your Community
By Kelsey Holmes, Greenheart Club Program Assistant
“Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.” — Howard Zinn, American historian, playwright, and social activist
In last week’s post, we highlighted the importance of development for communities across the globe. But what exactly does that mean for members of the Greenheart Club? To our participants, it means actively engaging in the community through service, getting to know their community and how to best address its needs, and making a positive impact on the lives of their host communities.
Ambassador Scholar, Mihaela Gadirca, talks about her volunteer experience with CCI Greenheart in Chicago, Illinois:
For our participants who are volunteering away from home, service is the perfect way to integrate into their host communities and get to know the people with whom they will be working, living, and serving. Volunteering does not necessarily have to be something that is done far from home, however. Taking an active role in your community and promoting its development is something you can begin today!
Here are some suggestions for getting involved:
- Volunteer at local organizations. Check out the Greenheart Club Volunteer Map for suggestions on how to get involved in your community!
- Attend events put on by nonprofits. Chicago Cares is a great database for volunteer opportunities in the Chicago area.
- Purchase local and fair trade goods. Buying fair trade is a great way to promote empowerment and development in the lives of communities around the world. Check out the Greenheart Shop for fair trade goods or visit a farmers market!
- Raise awareness about important community issues. Attend town hall meetings, etc. Attend workshops on community organizing to learn how to address the needs of your community more effectively. Click on the infographic below for more tips on community organizing!
- Get active on social media. Stay up to date on what is going on in your local and global community, and start a conversation to involve other members of your community– check out Greenheart on Instagram and Facebook!
- Volunteer through a global organization, like the Greenheart Club!