Humankind is social. We feed on being around other people and even introverts need to see others. Isolation is punishment - indeed torture by some measure. The holidays are traditionally times for gathering with friends and family and rekindling connections. The sense of belonging is one of the many reasons people love the holidays.

Gathering and connecting were severely upended by COVID-19, though even before the onset of the pandemic, there was general data showing a significant increase in alone time. This data is sourced from the US Census Bureau American Time Use Survey. Additional reporting features data focused on the dramatic changes in teen behavior since 2010, and related data reporting that kids are not only spending less time with others but are actually feeling lonely as a result (rather than wanting to be alone).

The more isolated we are, the more people’s mental health declines. Indeed, there is much data connecting longevity to community - and many cities have integrated this idea of trying to build connections into community planning and community center facilities. A well-connected community is a healthier, better balanced, more adaptable, more resilient and generally a better place.

Yet, the trend and the challenges continue.

For most of society, COVID is over from a public policy viewpoint. A majority of the public is done with restrictions. They are tired of hearing about not gathering with family. They have resigned themselves to the fact that the vaccine is more similar to a flu shot - it lessens the severity of symptoms, but does not stop the spread. 

Indeed, combating loneliness might be the real health threat in our communities at this point. Focusing our efforts on forging relationships that bridge political divides and create a genuine personal interest in our fellow community members has a lot of potential upsides.

My wife and I moved this year into a pre-existing, well-connected cul-de-sac of people eager to share mobile phone numbers and look out for one another. They even organized a potluck block party on Halloween. This sense of community and hospitality is the best feature of our new home.

Local governments are trying to be a part of the solution. They host numerous community events throughout the year. They seek active participation in community forums. They want more people to participate in parks and recreation programming. Cities hope more seniors show up for bingo on Thursday nights. Our hearts and actions are in the right spot.

In 2023, I urge cities to continue focusing efforts on creating neighborhood connections and fomenting relationships. While the government can’t necessarily sustain these efforts, you can certainly work to kickstart them. Here are four ideas:

• Host a neighborhood dumpster and clean-up event aligned with blocks in the neighborhood and put a pop-up tent there for awareness about other city services, like the library, fitness centers, or parks and rec classes, for example.
• Bring the Santa Train to each neighborhood in your community and encourage your neighbors to come to celebrate the Holidays with each other.
• Redouble your investments in Neighborhood Watch programs with staff support for facilitating community meetings with food, refreshments and police presence.
• Start a volunteer program for local teens to do community service hours - visit with the elderly at your local senior centers, clean up trash, paint fences at your parks, or help shelve books at the library.

These are just a smattering of the programs I have seen cities implement over the past decade. I welcome an email from you highlighting a success story so I can share more with our local government community in the future.

May your Holidays be filled with friends, family, laughter and board games,