What is Community?

Very early this morning as I walked to the beach I met and greeted people I usually see along the way. It is always a pleasure to say Good Morning or How are you or Have a good day. I feel a sense of community. This is my neighborhood. I belong here.

The idea and value of community has always meant a great deal to me. Now when I watch the news I see so much divisiveness in the world. There are so many people deciding they are not part of the same community. At the same time I think there is a hunger for the sense of community, the sense of belonging.

What is the value of being part of a community? Surely it is that a nourishing and supportive environment gives safety, security, and encouragement to grow and develop in positive ways.

I think about all of us in my little community, my neighborhood. We try very hard to have a sense of community and many times it does happen in a very positive ways.

What do we have here, in common, that unites us? It’s not just people that make up a community. It’s also animal and plant life and even non-living things, all of which support the people.  In our little community the ocean is a definite common element which affects our life here. We all love living near to the ocean.

What is Community?

If I consider what the word means, if I look at its origins, and I take it apart. I can see that it has these 2 parts, common and unity. Common is an adjective meaning shared, or relative to more than one person, area, living, or nonliving entity. Unity is a noun meaning the quality or state of not being multiple, of being one, of being in harmony

What contributes to a sense of community?

A common characteristic or interest can be identified.  Sometimes there is a need or desire to achieve something together.

Where do I see community working well here in this neighborhood?

One example is The Costambar Cnristian Fellowship group. This is a group of people who are very active contributors to the community. It welcomes people of all beliefs to its weekly service and celebration of community. Its members actively serve the welfare of others. There is a school which it supports. It plans, picks up donated items, and staffs a yearly Rummage Sale. Proceeds go to help those who need it in various ways.

Another community building group is the Costambar Homeowners Association. It actively supports the interests of property owners, and their renters. Its members pay monthly to support the services the group provides, such as security, and assistance with beach and street cleaning. It welcomes the inclusion and cooperation of other groups such as the Beach Vendors Association, The Junta De Vecinos, and the Los Mangos Golf and Country Club. It acts with those groups to negotiate with the government for services necessary to meet the area’s needs such as garbage collection, road repair, and policing. It publishes a monthly newsletter keeping the community up-to-date on the group’s activities.

If indeed there is hunger for more connection in the world, there is a need to identify the elements that can support a sense of community. Surely safety and security, in an environment of inclusion of differences, can support growth and development for all.

Where do you see Community in your neighborhood?

What are your thoughts? Please share in the Comments below.