Time Out Communities: More than Just a Neighborhood

When we think of communities, often the first image that comes to mind is a neighborhood or a specific geographic area. However, the reality is that many communities exist within these physical boundaries, extending far beyond them. In fact, just like Russian Matryoshka dolls, communities can be nested within other communities, with each one serving its own unique purpose.

The concept of community is often misunderstood by funders and evaluators who struggle to define its boundaries. They mistakenly assume that streets or geographical areas are the defining factors in forming social relationships. But the truth is that communities can be based on shared experiences, interests, needs, and identities. For example, a neighborhood may contain ethnic or racial communities, age-based communities, economic interest groups, and more.

Technology and transportation have made it possible for people to connect with others across distances, creating new opportunities for community building. However, for certain populations such as single mothers, families living in poverty, and the elderly, their sense of community and relationships are often rooted in their residential neighborhood. This is because these individuals rely heavily on their immediate environment for support.

Most of us participate in multiple communities within a given day, identifying with them based on factors such as neighborhood, nation, faith, politics, race or ethnicity, age, gender, hobby, or sexual orientation. These communities may be based on shared needs, interests, or values, and are often facilitated by context and environments like neighborhoods, companies, schools, and places of worship.

At its core, community is not just a feeling but also a set of relationships among people. It's about the sense of trust, belonging, safety, and caring that members have for one another. People form and maintain communities to meet common needs, and it's through these shared experiences and histories that we develop a sense of identity and belonging.

As researchers and implementers of community change initiatives, our understanding of what constitutes a community is crucial in identifying, understanding, and strengthening the communities we work with. By blending research with experience, we can gain valuable insights into the complexities of human community and how to support its development. Ultimately, recognizing that community is more than just a physical location or organization can help us build stronger, more resilient relationships among people.

Time out communities