Resources > Blog > November 26, 2021

HEALTHY PARKINSON’S COMMUNITIES™ RESOURCE ROUNDUP: Creating and Embracing Community Connections

Woman Asking Question At Neighborhood Meeting In Community Center

Last month, we shared resources on creating meaningful gatherings (especially as the idea of gathering continues to evolve and change). This month, we are turning our focus to the concept of connectionRead on for resources about creating and embracing community connections through comprehensive guides, thoughtprovoking community models, and stories we hope inspire you to build connections wherever you go. 

Tools to drive community change through building meaningful connections

The Soulful City Wellbeing Framework by Recover
The Soulful City Wellbeing Framework recognizes that a city is more than concrete and steel, monuments and infrastructure. Instead, cities are people, communities, and relationships. Built on years of research, this framework details several relationship types that are necessary for a community to feel a deep sense of connection and balance. Additionally, it branches out to specific examples of how those connections are applicable today and where they may be found.  

Socially Connected Communities by Healthy Places by Design
This comprehensive report provides detailed recommendations for building more socially connected communities to reduce social isolation. It identifies the need for community-led solutions that are rooted in culture and shared values in order to improve community health and well-being. The full report can be accessed by following this link, and the accompanying action guide for local community leaders can be accessed by following this link 

Pillars of Wellbeing from the Prevention Institute
The Pillars of Wellbeing as described by the Prevention Institute define the core elements needed for people and communities to flourish emotionally. This resource also explains the importance of how each pillar interacts to compound community strength and influence on well-being as experienced by an individual and in the broader community environment. There is an accompanying Pillars of Wellbeing overview which can be accessed by following this link. 

2021 Action Forum Recordings from the Foundation for Social Connection
The 2021 Action Forum was a global virtual event focused on ways to end social isolation and loneliness and included thoughtful, informative, and inspiring conversations about these important topics. The session recordings are divided between two days of online events: acknowledge globally and advocate nationally; and activate locally. Additionally, the sessions from each day are divided into shorter videos if you prefer listening to more specific topics.   

Stories of increasing community connection 

Creating Global Strategies for Social Connections: A Conversation with Edward Garcia from Healthy Places by Design 
This resource shares a conversation between Risa Wilkerson, Executive Director of Healthy Places by Design, and Edward Garcia, co-founder of the Coalition to End Social Isolation. In the conversation, Risa and Edward discuss global and national initiatives that are currently working to create solutions to social isolation. While it is not a toolkit or instructional resource, we hope this conversation brings you inspiration and hope. 

Tikvah for Parkinson Breaks Barriers in Jerusalem from the Davis Phinney Foundation
This blog post shares the story of how Debbie Shapiro turned her Parkinson’s diagnosis into fuel to connect her community. This story demonstrates how community members of all backgrounds can take the lead on creating positive change and connection. 

The Good Neighbor Project
This organization builds connections in their local community by leveraging individual strengths and abilities to help others who do not have the same resources. They help individuals and the greater community in seemingly simple, tangible ways like mowing lawns, building community gardens, cleaning community spaces, and more. Anyone in the community can offer their time, strength, equipment, or money to help support their neighbors who could use a little extra help.  

John Hunt Park Armory to Become a Senior Fitness Center by WAFF
This story highlights how years of work helped transform a vacant armory into a community fitness center for people living with Parkinson’s. It reminds us of the endless possibilities to create space for our community and how we can work in unique ways to facilitate meaningful connections. 

Get Caught Up

If you have missed or would like to revisit content from past months of our Healthy Parkinson’s Communities Resource Roundups, here is a list of resources we have previously shared:    

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

Are you enjoying our monthly Healthy Parkinson’s Communities Resource Roundups? Are there certain topic areas you’d like to see us cover? Share your thoughts with us by emailing communities@dpf.org