An inspirational guide to the 6 core qualities of healthy communities,
for anyone looking to build community as a source of connection and a
vehicle for social change
After two years meeting with different communities in the US,
psychologist Lisa Kentgen identified 6 key traits of vibrant, healthy
communities that we can all apply to our own lives and networks:
Each chapter focuses on one of these traits, highlighting a particular
community as a case study of how it can be put into practice. You'll
learn about a wide range of successful community models, including a
tiny-home village for people who had been chronically houseless in
Austin, Texas; a study circle to build connection between Native and
non-Native people in a small town in South Dakota; a 500-member
community choir in Columbus, Ohio; and a Buddhist center in Barre,
Massachusetts committed to bringing greater diversity to the Dharma.
Throughout the book, you'll reflect: How can we cultivate these traits
of vibrant community in our own lives? What would it look like to
prioritize caring and acceptance in our interactions with others? How
can we create a climate of true inclusivity, one where our differences
both challenge and strengthen us? How can we learn to feel more
comfortable with tension and acquire the skills to move through conflict
toward creative solutions? What would happen if we incorporated
meaningful rituals into our communities and made a point of celebrating
each other?
With intention and practice, we can transform our social relationships
and build communities that appreciate difference, encourage authentic
expression, and foster an environment of belonging and mutual care. This
book will inspire you to make the transformative leap from "me" to "we,"
creating communal, loving spaces in which to connect--and
thrive--together.
