The virtue of meeting over tweeting

Author Emily White says that self-reliance is overrated and that it’s time to rebuild a sense of community and civic life. In a Globe and Mail article, White traces her search for modern-day offline community in her book Count Me In: How I Stepped Off the Sidelines, Created Connection, and Build a Fuller, Richer, More Lived-in Life. Research shows that the number of Americans who feel a sense of belonging has dropped by half since 1976.  “Belongingness rates” started to drop in the 1980s when people started to spend less time in communal spaces like parks, libraries and community centres. At the same time, in our current “going solo world” we emphasize self-reliance over the support of others. White says that by finding a bigger public and social space to inhabit, you learn more about yourself. She says that more belonging and connection are reasonable to hope for as we head into 2015. United Way’s vision is a healthy, caring, and inclusive community. In support of this vision, UWBC will invest $25.6 million in 2014/15 in the Lower Mainland as well as supporting provincial initiatives like Better at Home and Success By 6.