Different Types of Communities

"If you knew what I know about the power of giving, you would not let a single meal pass without sharing it in some way."

-Buddha.

Nothing provides more joy than helping people in need and working to make the world a better place. There's nothing better than putting a smile on someone else's life or making the world a more suitable place for everyone. It will fill our hearts with warmth. "There just may not be selfless good deeds," said Joey tribbiani from the friend's show, and we couldn't agree more.

It's better to take a step than take nothing at all because it is better to be an action taker than complaining about what's wrong with the world. 

So, if you have a passion, drive, and dedication to stand up for the underdogs in your community or be a part of something great, there are many causes you could join. How?

Enter community engagement.

So, what exactly does community development mean?

As the name suggests, community engagement means getting involved in the community work for a cause and working together to better society.

Wikipedia describes the characteristics of community engagement as "volunteer actions, which involves giving personal time to projects in humanitarian NGOs or religious groups, are forms of community involvement. The engagement is generally motivated by values and ideals of social justice; Community engagement can be volunteering at food banks, homeless shelters, emergency assistance programs, neighborhood cleanup programs, etc."

Types of Community Engagement

Now, let's get on to the topic at hand.

Here are the different forms of community engagement:

• Direct Service: This includes services like feeding the hungry by serving food, providing shelter to the homeless, cleaning community and parks, helping animals, repairing homes, among others 
• Community Research: This is a form of community engagement where you do thorough research about the assets and needs of the community by exploring and setting up measures and goals for the community.
• Advocacy and Education: This is to raise awareness by organizing marches, petitions, writing letters to the government or leaders. The content they share and the voices they raise helps in educating the community about the cause and mission. Students are also educated. 
• Capacity Building: This includes collaborating with different community constituencies to solve problems by building on existing assets. It also involves creating a safe space for people to speak out their opinions and thoughts.
• Socially Responsible Personal and Professional Behavior: This is when you use your skillset - soft and hard skills - for the community's welfare. Professional training and skills such as IT skills can better the neighborhood when making personal or professional decisions. This form of social engagement may also include recycling, not using plastic materials, driving environmentally friendly cars, etc.
• Philanthropic Giving: You can also do your part by funding or donating food, reusable items such as clothes and toys, and other basic needs. If you want to go big, you could also organize fundraising events. 
• Participation in Associations: You can also join associations that hold the same values and beliefs as yours, such as school boards, parents-teachers associations, church choirs, and sports teams, among many others.

We hope this article helps you get even a bit about community engagement, its importance, and its forms. 

One can also advance his knowledge and gain vital skills to grow in the career by pursuing a master's in community development. There are also various institutes which provide scholarships via different programs like coverdell fellows to deserving students. 

So, there you have it, ladies and gentlemen, the different forms of community engagement along with its impotence. There is no good time like the present to give to those in need. 

We will leave you here with our best wishes and hope to find you becoming a part of some of these selfless organizations. As long as you have the passion, dedication, and compassion, you are on the right path to making your community and the world a better place.