When you can't meet in person, it's easy to become a hermit. For best results and to meet up successfully with members of your community, you may need to join up digitally. From social media groups to Zoom meetings, you can still join in the life of your community.
1) Great Causes
Striving to connect to support great causes is still a strong driver of community activities. To schedule a socially distanced gathering you may be able to use a mass texting service or a Facebook meetup. Give people the chance to opt-in for causes near and dear to them.
Additionally, consider setting up "come and go" socially distanced spot. Volunteers and donors can meet in spirit if not in person and enjoy the chance to enjoy a volunteer activity or make a donation of product, money, or time.
2) Religious Services
A church may not always be a fun event, but it can be a chance to reduce anxiety and build a sense of safety in belonging. From virtual Shabbat dinners to a broadcast of the Diwali Festival of Lights, people of faith are finding ways to connect that offer a boost to the spirit.
A regular religious broadcast is also wonderful to add structure into a week or a day that feels rudderless, particularly for those who are retired or working from home. Children will enjoy the chance to hear the youth pastor give the kid's message online rather than in person, and Sunday morning can still be a special event.
3) Fitness Rallies
If you want to participate in a community walk, you can simply check-in electronically via text or Facebook group, and get moving! Sign up early so you get the t-shirt and can display your community spirit in a local park or on the sidewalk by your home.
Cyclists, joggers, and walkers can call sign up to participate in a great cause and participate from home. You may need to sync up your pedometer or submit a map of your route to share with race organizers. Pledge your miles to a local organization or a group you care about and get some fresh air. This activity can also be added to your regular workout, so swim, walk and lift your way to supporting a great cause!
4) Bake Something
As the temperatures cool, consider signing up to support the troops in the field. A small donation may be required to cover administrative costs, but once you're signed up, you'll have a soldier you can write to, bake cookies for, email, or text. By joining in on such a project, you'll be part of a virtual community of others supporting the troops, extending the concept of "community" far outside your own city.
If you can sew, consider signing up to make masks for soldiers in training or on the ground. For those who can't sew, there are no-sew blanket projects and bracelets. Finally, if your home includes little artists who want to join in, hand-written and colored cards are always welcome.
5) Tutoring, Language and Translation
If you're multilingual and are home caring for family or working virtually, consider staying online and checking out volunteer translation gigs with Ted Talks, NGOs, and nonprofits. If you've never had the chance to study Ted Talks in-depth, this is your chance to carefully study the brilliance that's available at these events, and to share it in a new language with a new community.
For professionals who use language and mathematics as their stock in trade, signing up to tutor a struggling student is a great way to reach out, share expertise, and connect. When the world feels very small and rather harsh, being a helper is a great way to build hope. Additionally, many older students in need of this tutoring only have time for it in the evenings, so if you're working during the day and looking for a way to contribute, an evening volunteer gig is both fun and interesting.
Getting together is hard, and for some of us, it can be downright dangerous. Safe connections among our community members don't have to be in person, however. With digital connections, the concept of community can grow to a remarkable footprint.