importance of community living essay

How to Write the Community Essay – Guide with Examples (2023-24)

September 6, 2023

Students applying to college this year will inevitably confront the community essay. In fact, most students will end up responding to several community essay prompts for different schools. For this reason, you should know more than simply how to approach the community essay as a genre. Rather, you will want to learn how to decipher the nuances of each particular prompt, in order to adapt your response appropriately. In this article, we’ll show you how to do just that, through several community essay examples. These examples will also demonstrate how to avoid cliché and make the community essay authentically and convincingly your own.

Emphasis on Community

Do keep in mind that inherent in the word “community” is the idea of multiple people. The personal statement already provides you with a chance to tell the college admissions committee about yourself as an individual. The community essay, however, suggests that you depict yourself among others. You can use this opportunity to your advantage by showing off interpersonal skills, for example. Or, perhaps you wish to relate a moment that forged important relationships. This in turn will indicate what kind of connections you’ll make in the classroom with college peers and professors.

Apart from comprising numerous people, a community can appear in many shapes and sizes. It could be as small as a volleyball team, or as large as a diaspora. It could fill a town soup kitchen, or spread across five boroughs. In fact, due to the internet, certain communities today don’t even require a physical place to congregate. Communities can form around a shared identity, shared place, shared hobby, shared ideology, or shared call to action. They can even arise due to a shared yet unforeseen circumstance.

What is the Community Essay All About?             

In a nutshell, the community essay should exhibit three things:

• An aspect of yourself, 2. in the context of a community you belonged to, and 3. how this experience may shape your contribution to the community you’ll join in college.

It may look like a fairly simple equation: 1 + 2 = 3. However, each college will word their community essay prompt differently, so it’s important to look out for additional variables. One college may use the community essay as a way to glimpse your core values. Another may use the essay to understand how you would add to diversity on campus. Some may let you decide in which direction to take it—and there are many ways to go!

To get a better idea of how the prompts differ, let’s take a look at some real community essay prompts from the current admission cycle.

Sample 2023-2024 Community Essay Prompts

1) brown university.

“Students entering Brown often find that making their home on College Hill naturally invites reflection on where they came from. Share how an aspect of your growing up has inspired or challenged you, and what unique contributions this might allow you to make to the Brown community. (200-250 words)”

A close reading of this prompt shows that Brown puts particular emphasis on place. They do this by using the words “home,” “College Hill,” and “where they came from.” Thus, Brown invites writers to think about community through the prism of place. They also emphasize the idea of personal growth or change, through the words “inspired or challenged you.” Therefore, Brown wishes to see how the place you grew up in has affected you. And, they want to know how you in turn will affect their college community.

“NYU was founded on the belief that a student’s identity should not dictate the ability for them to access higher education. That sense of opportunity for all students, of all backgrounds, remains a part of who we are today and a critical part of what makes us a world-class university. Our community embraces diversity, in all its forms, as a cornerstone of the NYU experience.

We would like to better understand how your experiences would help us to shape and grow our diverse community. Please respond in 250 words or less.”

Here, NYU places an emphasis on students’ “identity,” “backgrounds,” and “diversity,” rather than any physical place. (For some students, place may be tied up in those ideas.) Furthermore, while NYU doesn’t ask specifically how identity has changed the essay writer, they do ask about your “experience.” Take this to mean that you can still recount a specific moment, or several moments, that work to portray your particular background. You should also try to link your story with NYU’s values of inclusivity and opportunity.

3) University of Washington

“Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the UW. (300 words max) Tip: Keep in mind that the UW strives to create a community of students richly diverse in cultural backgrounds, experiences, values and viewpoints.”

UW ’s community essay prompt may look the most approachable, for they help define the idea of community. You’ll notice that most of their examples (“families,” “cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood”…) place an emphasis on people. This may clue you in on their desire to see the relationships you’ve made. At the same time, UW uses the words “individual” and “richly diverse.” They, like NYU, wish to see how you fit in and stand out, in order to boost campus diversity.

Writing Your First Community Essay

Begin by picking which community essay you’ll write first. (For practical reasons, you’ll probably want to go with whichever one is due earliest.) Spend time doing a close reading of the prompt, as we’ve done above. Underline key words. Try to interpret exactly what the prompt is asking through these keywords.

Next, brainstorm. I recommend doing this on a blank piece of paper with a pencil. Across the top, make a row of headings. These might be the communities you’re a part of, or the components that make up your identity. Then, jot down descriptive words underneath in each column—whatever comes to you. These words may invoke people and experiences you had with them, feelings, moments of growth, lessons learned, values developed, etc. Now, narrow in on the idea that offers the richest material and that corresponds fully with the prompt.

Lastly, write! You’ll definitely want to describe real moments, in vivid detail. This will keep your essay original, and help you avoid cliché. However, you’ll need to summarize the experience and answer the prompt succinctly, so don’t stray too far into storytelling mode.

How To Adapt Your Community Essay

Once your first essay is complete, you’ll need to adapt it to the other colleges involving community essays on your list. Again, you’ll want to turn to the prompt for a close reading, and recognize what makes this prompt different from the last. For example, let’s say you’ve written your essay for UW about belonging to your swim team, and how the sports dynamics shaped you. Adapting that essay to Brown’s prompt could involve more of a focus on place. You may ask yourself, how was my swim team in Alaska different than the swim teams we competed against in other states?

Once you’ve adapted the content, you’ll also want to adapt the wording to mimic the prompt. For example, let’s say your UW essay states, “Thinking back to my years in the pool…” As you adapt this essay to Brown’s prompt, you may notice that Brown uses the word “reflection.” Therefore, you might change this sentence to “Reflecting back on my years in the pool…” While this change is minute, it cleverly signals to the reader that you’ve paid attention to the prompt, and are giving that school your full attention.

What to Avoid When Writing the Community Essay  

• Avoid cliché. Some students worry that their idea is cliché, or worse, that their background or identity is cliché. However, what makes an essay cliché is not the content, but the way the content is conveyed. This is where your voice and your descriptions become essential.
• Avoid giving too many examples. Stick to one community, and one or two anecdotes arising from that community that allow you to answer the prompt fully.
• Don’t exaggerate or twist facts. Sometimes students feel they must make themselves sound more “diverse” than they feel they are. Luckily, diversity is not a feeling. Likewise, diversity does not simply refer to one’s heritage. If the prompt is asking about your identity or background, you can show the originality of your experiences through your actions and your thinking.

Community Essay Examples and Analysis

Brown university community essay example.

I used to hate the NYC subway. I’ve taken it since I was six, going up and down Manhattan, to and from school. By high school, it was a daily nightmare. Spending so much time underground, underneath fluorescent lighting, squashed inside a rickety, rocking train car among strangers, some of whom wanted to talk about conspiracy theories, others who had bedbugs or B.O., or who manspread across two seats, or bickered—it wore me out. The challenge of going anywhere seemed absurd. I dreaded the claustrophobia and disgruntlement.

Yet the subway also inspired my understanding of community. I will never forget the morning I saw a man, several seats away, slide out of his seat and hit the floor. The thump shocked everyone to attention. What we noticed: he appeared drunk, possibly homeless. I was digesting this when a second man got up and, through a sort of awkward embrace, heaved the first man back into his seat. The rest of us had stuck to subway social codes: don’t step out of line. Yet this second man’s silent actions spoke loudly. They said, “I care.”

That day I realized I belong to a group of strangers. What holds us together is our transience, our vulnerabilities, and a willingness to assist. This community is not perfect but one in motion, a perpetual work-in-progress. Now I make it my aim to hold others up. I plan to contribute to the Brown community by helping fellow students and strangers in moments of precariousness.    

Brown University Community Essay Example Analysis

Here the student finds an original way to write about where they come from. The subway is not their home, yet it remains integral to ideas of belonging. The student shows how a community can be built between strangers, in their responsibility toward each other. The student succeeds at incorporating key words from the prompt (“challenge,” “inspired” “Brown community,” “contribute”) into their community essay.

UW Community Essay Example

I grew up in Hawaii, a world bound by water and rich in diversity. In school we learned that this sacred land was invaded, first by Captain Cook, then by missionaries, whalers, traders, plantation owners, and the U.S. government. My parents became part of this problematic takeover when they moved here in the 90s. The first community we knew was our church congregation. At the beginning of mass, we shook hands with our neighbors. We held hands again when we sang the Lord’s Prayer. I didn’t realize our church wasn’t “normal” until our diocese was informed that we had to stop dancing hula and singing Hawaiian hymns. The order came from the Pope himself.

Eventually, I lost faith in God and organized institutions. I thought the banning of hula—an ancient and pure form of expression—seemed medieval, ignorant, and unfair, given that the Hawaiian religion had already been stamped out. I felt a lack of community and a distrust for any place in which I might find one. As a postcolonial inhabitant, I could never belong to the Hawaiian culture, no matter how much I valued it. Then, I was shocked to learn that Queen Ka’ahumanu herself had eliminated the Kapu system, a strict code of conduct in which women were inferior to men. Next went the Hawaiian religion. Queen Ka’ahumanu burned all the temples before turning to Christianity, hoping this religion would offer better opportunities for her people.

Community Essay (Continued)

I’m not sure what to make of this history. Should I view Queen Ka’ahumanu as a feminist hero, or another failure in her islands’ tragedy? Nothing is black and white about her story, but she did what she thought was beneficial to her people, regardless of tradition. From her story, I’ve learned to accept complexity. I can disagree with institutionalized religion while still believing in my neighbors. I am a product of this place and their presence. At UW, I plan to add to campus diversity through my experience, knowing that diversity comes with contradictions and complications, all of which should be approached with an open and informed mind.

UW Community Essay Example Analysis

This student also manages to weave in words from the prompt (“family,” “community,” “world,” “product of it,” “add to the diversity,” etc.). Moreover, the student picks one of the examples of community mentioned in the prompt, (namely, a religious group,) and deepens their answer by addressing the complexity inherent in the community they’ve been involved in. While the student displays an inner turmoil about their identity and participation, they find a way to show how they’d contribute to an open-minded campus through their values and intellectual rigor.

What’s Next

For more on supplemental essays and essay writing guides, check out the following articles:

• How to Write the Why This Major Essay + Example
• How to Write the Overcoming Challenges Essay + Example
• How to Start a College Essay – 12 Techniques and Tips
• College Essay

Kaylen Baker

With a BA in Literary Studies from Middlebury College, an MFA in Fiction from Columbia University, and a Master’s in Translation from Université Paris 8 Vincennes-Saint-Denis, Kaylen has been working with students on their writing for over five years. Previously, Kaylen taught a fiction course for high school students as part of Columbia Artists/Teachers, and served as an English Language Assistant for the French National Department of Education. Kaylen is an experienced writer/translator whose work has been featured in Los Angeles Review, Hybrid, San Francisco Bay Guardian, France Today, and Honolulu Weekly, among others.

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What is 'community' and why is it important?

Article highlights.

.@tobyjlowe shares his thoughts on what 'community' means & why its an important concept for those interested in #socialchange

.@tobyjlowe defines a community as "a group of people who share an identity-forming narrative", but why is this a helpful concept for understanding & creating social change?

"Community is an important concept for social change because it helps us to see that social change requires a change in some of the most important stories we tell ourselves" @tobyjlowe

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The following thoughts are a brief summary of my PhD. The PhD was written in the 1990s but its central theme — the use and misuse of the term “community” in politics — seems not to have gone away. So, for what it’s worth, here are my thoughts on what “community” means and why it’s an important concept for people interested in social change…

The word “community” has a strange power to it. It conveys a sense of togetherness and positivity. It speaks both of solidarity and homeliness. For example, attach the word “community” to “policing” and it turns the legitimate monopoly power of the state over the use of force into something warm and cuddly.

You will hear “community” from the mouths of politicians, officials and other people with microphones in their hands. They speak of “the community” and how important it is to listen to, consult with or hear the voice of this strange collective thing. You will never hear someone in this context say that “community” is a thing that can be ignored or should be feared. And you will, almost never, hear people say what they mean by “community”.

The word “community” has a strange power to it. It conveys a sense of togetherness and positivity. It speaks both of solidarity and homeliness.

So — what does community mean? And why is it important?

Here are the things that I think a definition of community must be able to explain in order to reflect the various communities in the world, and to be useful as a tool for social analysis.

A definition of community must be able to account for the different types of communities that exist in the world. For example, it must be able to account for both a community of place, and something more dispersed, like “the academic community” or “the Islamic community”.

It must be able to account for the positive feelings that people have about “community” (e.g. the sense of togetherness) but without saying that “community” is necessarily good (after all, one of the best examples of a community is the Mafia, and even with the kindest reading of their activities, you’d struggle to argue that, on balance, they are a force for good in the world).

It must be able to explain the sense of identity and belonging associated with “community”. It must explain the feeling of pride or hurt we feel when a community of which we are part is praised or attacked. And it must explain the in group/out group nature of this identity — why some people are part of a particular community, and others are not.

It must be able to explain why “community” has the normative (moral) power that it does –how communities shape our sense of what ‘good’ and ‘bad’ means. For example, our community shapes our understanding of what being a good neighbour, means — the shared understanding of how we should treat people around here.

It must be able to explain why “community” is different from other social groups — such as “society”, “family” or just a group of people.

It must be able to account for the fact that people can be part of different communities simultaneously.

Given that framing, I offer this as my definition of “community”:

A community is a group of people who share an identity-forming narrative.

This means, a group of people who share a story that is so important to them that it defines an aspect of who they are. Those people build the shared story archetypes (characters) of that community into their sense of themselves; they build the history of those communities into their own personal history; and they see the world through the lens of those shared stories.

So, one of the communities that I consider myself to be part of is the community based around the city of Newcastle. The manifestations of this are that I take pride in showing people around the city. I feel slighted when people say horrible things about it. I feel at home whenever I hear a Geordie (Newcastle) accent (despite not having one myself). And so on.

But what makes me part of this community is my choice to write Newcastle’s stories into my own story: the character traits for how Geordies are supposed to behave (be friendly, talk to strangers at bus stops, support Newcastle United etc etc) are character traits that I have adopted. I take part in shared events where this story is played out — such as attending football matches at St James Park and other cultural events in the city. I feel that arguments about the future of the city (should this building be built here? What green spaces does the city need? etc etc) are arguments about my own future. I see arguments about the UK’s future through the lens of the future of Newcastle.

It is this choice to participate in the making and remaking of these stories about the city that makes me part of the community of Newcastle. It’s not just about where you live, or where you work: it is possible to live and work in Newcastle without doing these things, without becoming part of this community. And there are many people who are from Newcastle originally, but who now live elsewhere, who would still consider themselves part of the Newcastle community because they still take an active part in conversations about what it means to be a part of this community.

Let’s see how this definition works against the six key criteria for being an accurate and useful definition of “community”:

It can account for all the different kinds of community — what people call “communities of interest” and “communities of place”. The essence of community is a shared story — that story can be about a place, or it can be about a religion, or any other social practice. It challenges the notion of “communities of identity” by saying that all communities are communities of identity, so “community of identity” isn’t a helpful concept (it’s tautological).

It can account for the positive feelings people have about being part of a community. The sense of a shared identity, of being part of something larger than we are, is well known as a source of good feeling. But it is also morally-neutral. Being part of a community is just part of how we live our lives. Communities can be positive social forces, doing good in the world, and they can be negative, doing harm (and they can be both of those things at once). Community is not, in and of itself, morally praiseworthy. It just is.

This definition of community explains the nature of shared identity in communities, and highlights the specific mechanism by which this occurs. It is the process of telling a story about yourself that draws on the shared cultural story archetypes which creates and maintains a shared identity. It is the process of a set of people sharing (and arguing) about a particular set of stories — their meaning, interpretation and value — that reinforces those social bonds and creates the shared cultural resources.

It explains why community has the normative (moral) force that it does, because it is our narratives that provide us with our explanations for what good/bad look like. A good neighbour is someone who fits the story we tell ourselves about how a good neighbour behaves, a good colleague is someone who fits with the archetype of how that character behaves etc. Our narratives provide our moral framing.

It explains why “community” is different from other types of social groups. A community is a group with a shared identity-forming narrative. This is different from the set of people who live in a place, or have a shared interest. A group of people waiting at a bus stop have a shared interest, but they are not a community. (Unless they’ve been waiting for a really long time…)

The definition understands that people can be part of many communities simultaneously, and also how they can become part of (and drift away from) particular communities. It also is able to account for the tension that people can feel when they are part of multiple communities — when different aspects of their identity-defining stories clash, for example.

A group of people who share a story that is so important to them that it defines an aspect of who they are. Those people build the shared story archetypes (characters) of that community into their sense of themselves; they build the history of those communities into their own personal history; and they see the world through the lens of those shared stories.

Why does this matter?

On one level, this is simply a plea for a more precise use of language. I am not saying that “community” is the only (or even most important) social grouping, but it is a particular type of social grouping that explains the strong sense of shared identity that people feel, and membership of particular groups give us a lens through which we see the world.

Sometimes, this will make “community” important to our political (policy/management) conversations. Many times community will not be relevant. In those cases people should stop using the word “community” just to generate a warm fuzzy feeling, or as a euphemism for talking about poor people. If you mean “people”, say “people”. If you mean “community”, say which community you mean, and say why those identity-forming narratives are important to what you’re trying to do.

Why ‘community’ is a helpful concept for understanding and creating social change

I think my key message is that community is an important concept for social change because it helps us to see that social change requires a change in some of the most important stories we tell ourselves. Social change requires that we rewrite our communal narratives. Social change is change in community.

SOCIAL CHANGE IS ALWAYS PARTICULAR — IT LOOKS AND FEELS DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON THE COMMUNITIES OF WHICH YOU ARE PART

Our communities shape our understanding of the world. If you’re looking to create change in the world, it is these meanings and understandings which have to change. This applies whether the change you seek is macro scale (like gender equality) or micro scale (like making this street a better place to live).

It is easy to understand why changing people’s sense of community is important on the micro scale (if you want to change how it is to live on this street, you need people’s sense of what it means to live on this street, and what is possible for the people who live here —  like this story of change in Granby ).

It is less immediately obvious why ‘community’ is important for macro change like gender equality. I think it is important because what gender equality looks like will be different for each community. Translating gender equality from the abstract language of human rights into the concrete practices of people requires each set of stories that define men and women’s roles in each community to change (and also the stories that construct our sense of what men and women are). It is change in these stories that makes macro change real.

NARRATIVE CHANGE IS (PART OF) SOCIAL CHANGE

This understanding helps us to understand that a key part of social change is narrative change. It helps us to ask the following types of question: what are the stories that define our understanding of how life should be lived in this context? Who and what shapes those stories? Where are they told, and who tells them? In technical language, social change must include the politics of narrative construction.

Obviously, these aren’t the only important questions. But if they’re not addressed, social change becomes significantly harder.

CHALLENGING OUR OWN NARRATIVES

If social change involves narrative change for each community, then it is up to members of those communities to challenge and refresh their own narrative construction processes. We know that imposing change on the stories of others is perilous (and usually counter-productive). That gives each community a responsibility to (critically) reflect on their own stories, and on the story-making process. What do our stories have to say about justice/care/kindness (whatever value is the subject of reflection)? Who is involved in this process? Who gets to explore and tell their stories? Whose voice counts?

Community is an important concept for social change because it helps us to see that social change requires a change in some of the most important stories we tell ourselves. Social change requires that we rewrite our communal narratives. Social change is change in community.

FREEDOM, DIVERSITY AND TOLERANCE

We can also view other questions through the lens of community. What’s our attitude to those who don’t share our stories? What can we learn from the narratives of others? What is required for people to have a voice in our shared story-making?

And finally, community helps us to understand what freedom means. It means being free to write your own story — and that is both an individual and collective process. It means being free to find the community that best suits you, and it means participating in the creation of narratives that enable others to be free.

In conclusion

I hope that’s been useful. Inevitably, some of the shortcuts I’ve taken in order to fit this into any kind of readable length mean I’ve also skipped over a range of important ideas and questions too quickly. But I hope some of the key ideas are expressed with enough clarity to be useful.

My grateful thanks to Pritpal Tamber for giving helpful feedback on drafts of this. Go check out his excellent work on Health and Community .

This piece is also published on Medium here .

Written by:.

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What Is Community Anyway?

Our understanding of community can help funders and evaluators identify, understand, and strengthen the communities they work with.

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By David M. Chavis & Kien Lee May 12, 2015

“Community” is so easy to say. The word itself connects us with each other. It describes an experience so common that we never really take time to explain it. It seems so simple, so natural, and so human. In the social sector, we often add it to the names of social innovations as a symbol of good intentions (for example, community mental health, community policing, community-based philanthropy, community economic development).

But the meaning of community is complex. And, unfortunately, insufficient understanding of what a community is and its role in the lives of people in diverse societies has led to the downfall of many well-intended “community” efforts.

Adding precision to our understanding of community can help funders and evaluators identify, understand, and strengthen the communities they work with. There has been a great deal of research in the social sciences about what a human community is (see for example, Chavis and Wandersman, 1990 ; Nesbit, 1953 ; Putnam, 2000 ). Here, we blend that research with our experience as evaluators and implementers of community change initiatives.

It’s about people.

First and foremost, community is not a place, a building, or an organization; nor is it an exchange of information over the Internet. Community is both a feeling and a set of relationships among people. People form and maintain communities to meet common needs.

Members of a community have a sense of trust, belonging, safety, and caring for each other. They have an individual and collective sense that they can, as part of that community, influence their environments and each other.

That treasured feeling of community comes from shared experiences and a sense of—not necessarily the actual experience of—shared history. As a result, people know who is and isn’t part of their community. This feeling is fundamental to human existence.

Neighborhoods, companies, schools, and places of faith are context and environments for these communities, but they are not communities themselves.

People live in multiple communities.

Since meeting common needs is the driving force behind the formation of communities, most people identify and participate in several of them, often based on neighborhood, nation, faith, politics, race or ethnicity, age, gender, hobby, or sexual orientation.

Most of us participate in multiple communities within a given day. The residential neighborhood remains especially important for single mothers, families living in poverty, and the elderly because their sense of community and relationships to people living near them are the basis for the support they need. But for many, community lies beyond. Technology and transportation have made community possible in ways that were unimaginable just a few decades ago.

Communities are nested within each other.

Just like Russian Matryoshka dolls, communities often sit within other communities. For example, in a neighborhood—a community in and of itself—there may be ethnic or racial communities, communities based on people of different ages and with different needs, and communities based on common economic interests.

When a funder or evaluator looks at a neighborhood, they often struggle with its boundaries, as if streets can bind social relationships. Often they see a neighborhood as the community, when, in fact, many communities are likely to exist within it, and each likely extends well beyond the physical boundaries of the neighborhood.

Communities have formal and informal institutions.

Communities form institutions—what we usually think of as large organizations and systems such as schools, government, faith, law enforcement, or the nonprofit sector—to more effectively fulfill their needs.

Equally important, however, are communities’ informal institutions, such as the social or cultural networks of helpers and leaders (for example, council of elders, barbershops, rotating credit and savings associations, gardening clubs). Lower-income and immigrant communities, in particular, rely heavily on these informal institutions to help them make decisions, save money, solve family or intra-community problems, and link to more-formal institutions.

Communities are organized in different ways.

Every community is organized to meet its members’ needs, but they operate differently based on the cultures, religions, and other experiences of their members. For example, while the African American church is generally understood as playing an important role in promoting health education and social justice for that community, not all faith institutions such as the mosque or Buddhist temple are organized and operate in the same way.

Global migration has led to an assortment of communities based on people’s needs and desire for that sense of trust, belonging, safety, and caring for each other. For example, one group of new immigrants may form a community around its need to advocate for better treatment by law enforcement. Another group may form a community around its need for spiritual guidance. The former may not look like a community, as we imagine them, while the latter likely will.

The meaning of community requires more thoughtfulness and deliberation than we typically give it. Going forward, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers must embrace this complexity—including the crucial impact communities have on health and well-being—as they strive to understand and create social change.

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How to Write the “Community” and “Issue” Yale Essays

This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by Hale Jaeger in a CollegeVine livestream. You can watch the full livestream for more info. 

What’s Covered

The “community” essay: choosing a community, structuring the “community” essay, the “issue” essay: choosing your issue, issues to avoid, structuring the “issue” essay.

In this article, we discuss strategies for writing Yale University ’s “Community” and “Issue” supplemental essays. Applicants using the Common App or Coalition Application to apply to Yale are required to choose one of these two prompts and respond to it in 400 words or fewer. The first prompt is the “Issue” essay prompt, which reads:

Yale carries out its mission “through the free exchange of ideas in an ethical, interdependent, and diverse community.” Reflect on a time when you exchanged ideas about an important issue with someone holding an opposing view. How did the experience lead you either to change your opinion or to sharpen your reasons for holding onto it? (400 words)

The second prompt is the “Community” essay prompt:

Reflect on a time when you have worked to enhance a community to which you feel connected. Why have these efforts been meaningful to you? You may define community however you like. (400 words)

In this article, we discuss choosing topics for each of these essays and strategies to structure them.

The Yale “Community” essay prompt clearly states that you can define community however you wish, which means you can choose to write about any kind of community that you feel you are a member of. When considering potential communities, start by brainstorming any groups you are part of that have defined boundaries, such as your town, school, team, or religious organization.

There are also informal communities that you could choose from, such as your friend group, family, coworkers, or neighborhood. Even though these groups have less of a formal definition, they are still communities. What matters most is that the community that you choose is important to you, that you have contributed to it, and that you have learned something from it.

When structuring this essay, think about it in three sections. The first introduces the community, the second demonstrates your contributions to the community, and the third explains what the community has given and taught you. As you write, keep in mind that this essay is a two-way street; you want to show what you have given to your community and what it has given you.

Introduce the Community

The first step in writing this essay is to introduce the community. Explain who is part of the community and what the community is like. Highlight the community’s structure by demonstrating how you are part of it and how you interact with your peers, superiors, or inferiors within the group. It is also important to depict the community’s dynamic in this part of the essay. For example, is it fun, relaxed, and loving, or is it rigorous, challenging, and thought provoking? 

Show What You’ve Contributed

The next section of this essay should discuss your engagement with this community and what you’ve contributed to it. Consider what you’ve done, what initiatives you’ve brought to the community, and what your role is within it. You can also highlight anything that you had to give up to be part of the community.

Show What You’ve Learned

The last part of this essay should discuss what you have gained and learned from this community. For this portion, consider things that the community has given and taught you, as well as ways that it has helped you grow. Think about how this community has shaped who you are and who you are becoming.

The other prompt option is the “Issue” essay. The first step for this one is to define what your issue is. It doesn’t matter what you choose, as long as it’s something that has enough nuance for you to talk about it in a complex and intelligent way.

Make sure it’s an issue of some relevance to you; otherwise, it will come across as dispassionate. As you write this essay, you should show that you are somebody who cares about an issue that they think is significant. 

Grand Issues

When selecting an issue, you can either choose a grand one or a local one. Grand issues are big, unsolved problems that are common in society, such as cancer, homelessness, or food insecurity. If you do choose a grand issue, remind yourself of its personal importance. While grand issues are full of nuance, they may lack personal meaning. Examples of personal connections to grand issues could be if you have encountered homelessness, lived with food insecurity, or have lost someone to cancer.

Local Issues

Another topic option is to write about an issue that is local. For example, maybe your high school has a teaching staff that doesn’t represent the diversity of the student body. While this is not a global issue, it’s something that strongly affects you and your community. 

Perhaps you live in a town that is directly suffering from the opioid crisis, or you have divorced parents and have started an activist group for children of divorced parents. Both of these examples of local issues also have personal importance. 

When choosing a topic to write about, avoid issues that you don’t have any connection to and that aren’t personally important. These are often problems that are too grand and can’t be made personal, such as world peace. 

Another category of issues to avoid is anything that doesn’t align with Yale’s values. Yale, like most universities in the United States, generally has a liberal lean. As such, it is likely not in your best interest to write a strong defense of socially conservative values. While there are values that you are free to hold and express—and Yale welcomes people of all backgrounds and ideologies—this essay is not necessarily the best place to express them.

You are most likely applying to Yale because it’s a place that you want to be and have something in common with. This essay is a great opportunity to emphasize the values that you share with the university rather than the things that divide you. Since a reader only has five to seven minutes to go over your entire application, you don’t want them to come away with the sense that you are somebody who won’t thrive at Yale.

Define the Issue and Highlight Past Experiences

When writing the “Issue” essay, start by identifying the issue and sharing how you came across it. Then, provide insight into why it is meaningful to you and your relationship with it.

Next, show the reader how you have already engaged with the problem by detailing your past with the issue. 

Discuss Future Plans to Approach the Issue

After this, you can look forward and discuss your future with this issue. A great strategy is to write about how your Yale education will address the problem and how your field of study relates to it. You can also highlight any Yale-specific programs or opportunities that will give you insight or context for tackling the issue. 

Alternatively, if there is something about this issue that Yale’s academic flexibility will enable you to explore, you can share that in this part of the essay. For example, maybe you are interested in health policy and plan to take classes in the sciences. You also want to take classes in the history of health, science, and medicine, as well as political science and economics courses, which you plan to utilize to write new healthcare policies.

Another option is to focus on an aspect of Yale’s community, such as peers, professors, or mentors who will help develop your ability to navigate the issue. Ultimately, you want to demonstrate in this essay that what (and how) you learn at Yale will prepare you to take action and move forward with confronting your issue in the future.

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What is community?

Why are communities so important, 8 types of communities, importance of communities and mental health.

Benefits of community

Start building

The word “community” is used so often today, it’s reached buzzword status. And when the term is thrown around in countless contexts, it’s easy to lose sight of the importance of community—and how to develop communities that add purpose and joy to our lives.

So, what exactly is community? In its simplest form, it’s a group of people with something in common. That shared factor could be family, geography, faith, race, or life stage. It could also be an overlapping interest, passion, or profession. 

But for a group of people to form a true community that enriches the lives of its members, the individuals involved must also feel a shared sense of trust, connection, and caring for one another . 

Strong communities are critical because they’re often an important source of social connection and a sense of belonging. Participating in a community bonded by attitudes, values, and goals is an essential ingredient to enjoying a fulfilling life.

The absence of social connections can have profound effects on our overall health. An early study on the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic showed that loneliness was one of the factors with the greatest psychological impact on people’s health. The impacts of low social connection on health include:

• Elevated risk factors. Studies show people who lack strong social connections are also more likely to suffer from high levels of stress and inflammation, and face higher risk for suicide and early death.
• Chronic disease. Research consistently links the lack of social connectedness with health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, immune disorders and cancer. suicide and early death.
• Mental health. Social isolation can also impact mental health and well-being . Strong social ties are crucial to mental health—they can lower stress and anxiety and help people thrive.

Ultimately, communities give people a supportive group to help them cope with difficult challenges, band together to solve problems, and celebrate life’s lighter moments.

Communities exist in many forms, both formal and informal. Formal institutions such as faith-based organizations, schools, and governments might be some of the first types of community that come to mind. But informal groups, such as carpools or study groups, often play an important role in our lives, too.   

Informal groups in particular are an important resource for individuals who are part of underrepresented groups and may not have access to or feel comfortable in traditional organizations rooted in inequity. For those seeking safe, inclusive spaces, informal gathering places such as barber shops or online forums can become deeply meaningful sources of community. 

Because communities can align along many factors, such as location, identity, interests, or organization, you may already belong to several without even realizing it. Some common examples of communities include:

Some towns or neighborhoods are more tightly knit than others, but many people belong to a community that’s formed by virtue of a shared zip code or street. For some, the people you pass on the sidewalk or in the hallway every day might be strangers. But they can also be friends, allies or even people to turn to in times of trouble. 

• Faith-based organizations

A group of individuals united by religious or spiritual beliefs is a longstanding community institution . Whether they meet in a church, synagogue, temple, or online, faith-based organizations may be one of the most easily recognizable forms of community because of their history, reach, and dense networks. 

• Hobby-focused clubs

Cooking, reading, running, music—there are an infinite number of possibilities for groups centered around shared interests. Clubs or groups joined by interest or activity allow members to meet new people and foster newfound or longtime personal passions. The virtual options available make finding and participating in these groups easier than ever. 

• Volunteer groups

Volunteering can take many different shapes, from phone banking to cleaning up a park. And volunteer work might be driven by a big national nonprofit organization or a tiny grass-roots effort that started in your own backyard. In any case, people working together on a cause that’s important to them often create a meaningful community.

• Alumni networks

An alumni association or network typically exists in the context of an educational institution, and it combines several layers of shared experiences in one. Members might fondly recall their time on the same campus, the class requirements they all completed or the institutional traditions they participated in. Alumni networks provide social and professional connections long after individuals have graduated. 

• Coworking spaces

While they’ve always been more than just a place to work, the traditional coworking space has recently undergone new shifts to become more than a physical space. Modern coworking spaces have evolved in design and approach like this cohort of founders launching places for people of color . Offering both inclusive physical spaces and digital communities, they highlight the importance of community development in the workplace.

• Professional development groups

Career-focused networks exist for nearly every type of job or specialty imaginable, and they can often be a great resource throughout an individual’s professional life. These groups might gather for conferences, offer mentorship or training, explore industry issues and help members achieve their goals. Over time, these communities can serve as a critical form of support and guidance for individuals and even leave a mark on entire professions.     

• Employee resource groups In organizations, an employee resource group (ERG) is an employee-led group that fosters inclusivity and builds community. The purpose of an ERG is to create a safe, supportive space for underrepresented employees who share a common identity, and they may be organized by certain shared characteristics like gender identity, ethnicity, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, or age. As a community, ERG members and organizational decision-makers work to create an inclusive company culture, connection, and personal and professional growth.

In recent months, the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of community as it relates to mental health. As feelings of isolation , anxiety, and depression have increased during the pandemic, many people are seeking meaningful connections to help them cope—and that’s one of the most vital functions communities perform. 

Communities are inherently about relationships with others and a feeling of connectedness, which have a major impact on mental health . Without community, people may feel more isolated and lonely. 

One of the ways we can strengthen our mental health is by building community and creating the social connection and support to have more vulnerable conversations . By creating spaces where open dialogue is safe and encouraged, people can deepen their understanding of one another, work together to address challenges, and find the support they need to navigate tough times. 

8 benefits of communities

• A support network

As a member of a community, you have access to a support network of peers. Whether you turn to your community to commiserate, seek advice, or simply share your story, having a supportive group in your life can have a powerful effect on your overall well-being.

• Professional development

Members of a profession-based community can help drive growth and performance . ERGs in particular can develop internal leaders, educate employees, and have a positive impact on retention for members of underrepresented groups. 

• Sense of purpose

With a secure sense of belonging comes a sense of purpose, something people are increasingly searching for due to the pandemic . Belonging and purpose can help increase feelings of solidarity and fulfillment, which can be important both personally and professionally. And a strong sense of purpose can even help you live longer .

• Alleviate stress

Communities can be a source of joy! Coming together physically or virtually, finding points of connection with others, and enjoying moments of celebration and camaraderie can leave us feeling engaged and refreshed. Those positive feelings may help lower stress and anxiety.

• New inspiration and ideas Immersing yourself in a group of individuals exposes you to a diversity of ideas, viewpoints, and personalities. There’s bound to be something new to learn or an unexpected thought to appreciate from your fellow members.
• Empowered decision-making

An empowering environment comes out of mutual trust and respect, which speaks to the importance of community development. In a strong community, where people have opportunities to build each other up and develop trust, people feel greater confidence and engagement within the organization and on an individual level.

• Better communication skills

Effective communication requires connecting to others, a key pillar of a community. Developing relationships with fellow community members is an exercise in listening and building meaningful rapport.  

• Greater resilience Resiliency is a quality impacting the way people respond to and manage change.  Belonging to a community offers a form of support that provides a buffer against the stresses on resilience .

Start building your communities

Communities can take many different shapes, and they’re formed on the basis of all kinds of commonalities—including shared interests, geography, or identity.

At their best, being part of a group provides social connections , friendship, and practical and emotional support. They can help us see the world in new ways and provide needed perspective.

Community involvement can enrich the lives of the people on your teams and help individuals overcome the obstacles in their way.

We all need community. You can show the importance of community to your teams through your own example. Start looking for ways to get involved with the communities in your life.

Not sure where to start? The beauty of communities is that you can contribute just by participating. Just showing up can enrich your life, the lives of others, and build more resilient organizations and societies.

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Maggie Wooll, MBA

Maggie Wooll is a researcher, author, and speaker focused on the evolving future of work. Formerly the lead researcher at the Deloitte Center for the Edge, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Princeton University and an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Maggie is passionate about creating better work and greater opportunities for all.

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What Is Community, and Why Is It Important?

In 2005, the Center asked several people whose work involves community building this simple question, and got some not-so-simple answers.

Riché C. Zamor, Executive Director, Latin American Health Institute, Boston

To me a community is a group of individuals connected to each other by one or more attribute(s). The element that links them together is at the core, and is the essence of the group. Just as denoted by the root and the suffix of the word (common-unity), a certain segment of the population is united by a familiar thread. In the field of Public Health, we see community as a group of folks that are at risk of being infected or affected by certain types of diseases based on their demographic, social, and economic status. A community is a familiar thread used to bring people together to advocate and support each other in the fight to overcome those threats. As human beings, we need a sense of belonging, and that sense of belonging is what connects us to the many relationships we develop. Communities are also rich in resources, that is where their collective aspect comes into play. We are all members of many communities (family, work, neighborhood, etc.), and we constantly move in and out of them, depending on the situation. Community is where we find comfort in difficult times. When things are not going well in one community, we have the option to move to another. For me, the community is where one finds the balance between physical and mental fitness.

Sarah Michelson, Teen Intern with The Food Project

Most people in today’s world rely on a community for practical purposes. The necessities of life rarely come from one’s own hands, but rather from a complicated “web of mutuality,” as Martin Luther King, Jr. once phrased it. While most people need to be part of a community for life’s necessities, most people want to be part of a community because there is something indescribably lovely about being a part of a group of people who share something more substantial than geographical location… something they feel passionately about. Something that, when shared, makes individuals seem less lonely. A community is a safe place.

But there is something potentially dangerous about communities. A community that is safe, comfortable, and trusting can be so enticing that individuals can forget about the world outside of their community, or regard other communities with subtle prejudices.

I am a member of the Sudbury community, an affluent suburb of Boston. While I work to give back to my community, I also need to spend some time away from Sudbury, to know what life is like in Bolivia, in the American South, or in Roxbury, the inner city neighborhood where the Food Project does a lot of its work. I need to go to these places to remind myself that this way of life I am used to is not the only way or the best way. I need to be reminded that, while I give to my community, other communities are no less deserving. I need to be reminded that when I form a connection with someone based on common experience, it is not because that someone is from Sudbury. It is because we are both human beings, and I am part of a global community.

Alan O’Hare, Schenachie (Celtic Storyteller) and Director Life Story Theatre

In the silence of an early morning walk recently, the crystal song of a scarlet red cardinal atop an oak tree awakened me more fully. As I stood listening to him and his mate in a nearby tree serenading each other, a couple walking their dog joined me. Without speaking a word, it was clear we were enchanted by the gift of their song, and we joined together briefly in a community of celebration for the gifts of Nature.

The new light, the morning hymn, and the momentary connection with other travelers evoked images from other communities. Each of these whether for learning, work, healing, prayer, or friendship creates for us a safe experience of belonging, purpose, and shared values. In them, each of us encounters who we are and what our gifts are.

In the Sufi tradition, it is taught that the primary purpose of life is to awaken to the essence of who we are. Once we do so, we are invited to lovingly embrace this realization. The gift of community is that it offers each of us the fire of affirmation and support to achieve this… even on those days when we feel no fire.

But at that time we can recall the words of Thich Nhat Hanh: “I ask all of you to hold up your hands and tell me the truth. Do you believe, as I do, that someone in our hamlet is keeping the fire alive?”

Frances Moore Lappé, Author of Democracy’s Edge

Community — meaning for me “nurturing human connection” — is our survival. We humans wither outside of community. It isn’t a luxury, a nice thing; community is essential to our well being.   Inclusion in the social life of society is community’s foundation. By inclusion I mean universal access to entry, starting with legal protections against exclusion — racial discrimination, for example — but going far, far beyond. Inclusion means access to jobs with fair pay, decent shelter, effective schools, and reliable health care. If you deprive “a man of a job or an income,” said Martin Luther King, Jr., “you are in substance saying to that man that he has no right to exist…it is murder, psychologically…”   Yet today the ethic in ascendance is exclusion. We have allowed the government to let the minimum wage lose a quarter of its value in thirty years. One out of every five jobs in the U.S. will not lift a family of four out of poverty. And we’ve allowed health care to become unattainable by so many that America now ranks 42nd among the world’s nations in infant survival.   This profoundly disturbing assault on community calls us to accept an irony: We must risk exclusion — alienating or at least disturbing others — to become advocates for inclusion in community. That may mean speaking our minds even if  doing so triggers discomfort in others, reaching out to those excluded even when it feels awkward, engaging in visible civic public action such as a vigil or door-to-door education even where we risk angry rejection.   Appreciating that community is essential to human well being calls us to a particular kind of courage: walking with our fear of exclusion in order to stand up for inclusion.

Lisa R. Fortuna, Staff Psychiatrist, Cambridge Health Alliance

Community is about growing with others. I grew up surrounded by a culturally rich and loving community which has shaped my identity and pride as a black Latina woman. I have been blessed to be around young people and families ever engaged in improving the vitality of their community. Now, thirty five years into my life, I am a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Everyday, I get to meet with young people. I have the opportunity to be there in their lives during some of their most difficult and distressing moments. Because of who these young people are, and because of the love I have received, I strive to be the best physician I can be and to serve those who need me most.

In the process, my spirituality has been a central stabilizing and informing force in my life, one that has been very personal, very quiet and that has nevertheless guided every one of my life choices. This interface between community, medicine, and personal faith started with an early and long-standing fascination with the world around me. My mind was ignited by a love of science and medicine, and reliant on the power of community and deep respect and appreciation for healing. This attitude towards the world was inspired by my grandmother my mother, and the elders around me who took the time to care. This is what community is about… taking care of each other.

Shirley Tang, Assistant Professor, Asian-American Studies & American Studies, UM ass Boston

I accepted the invitation to write for the BRC newsletter as a way to reflect briefly upon my own questions about community-building after twelve years of teaching and developing Asian American Studies in both university and street settings with students from urban immigrant/refugee communities. I was first drawn to Asian American Studies, and ethnic studies in general, because of its revolutionary commitments to community-building, justice-centered education, and hands-on, practical work. I have always felt that the best places to learn/teach are not behind the closed doors of an ivory tower but where people are experiencing marginalization and exclusion from decision-making power and resource-rich opportunities.

Several years ago, that was all theory. After I listened carefully to how young people and their families experienced problems first-hand and after I realized that they had always been at the forefront in fighting for a just and healthy community for all, I had begun to see things from their perspective and apply myself to keeping their—our—dreams alive. Since I started working at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, I have become a U.S. resident, and like many of the students and community members that I work with, I also found my life becoming more and more tied to the political and social situation of immigrant communities/communities of color in U.S.  society.

So, why is community important? Because community saves us from the isolation and alienation we fear. Because in the real world people have no choice. Because community is about finding each other and a place we can call home. But we are also compelled to build community not only because we are survivors in an existing world order but because we bring differences to a society that erases our differences. By dealing with differences we confront the question of the social and economic foundations of our society. By building community we put some order in the fragmented world.

Interdependence

It’s a simple idea with vast implications. Known in Western society as interdependence, the concept has been known for millennia in Buddhism as “dependent origination.” Because of the light it sheds on all manner of living relations, Ikeda returns time and again to it in his writings, speeches, and dialogues.

Social Life

The importance of community, a community can help us to feel connected to something larger than ourselves..

Posted July 18, 2023 | Reviewed by Ray Parker

• Experiencing a sense of belonging is vital for our psychological well-being.
• A community can provide us with a sense of belonging, support, and identity.
• There are specific ways that everyone can connect to and create a community.

Experiencing a sense of belonging is vital for our psychological well-being. Being a part of a healthy community can help us feel connected to others, as well as feel we’re part of something larger than ourselves.

This is especially important for people who’ve experienced trauma or loss, or who are feeling isolated, marginalized, bullied, or alone. For those, and for all of us, a community can provide that necessary sense of belonging.

A community provides belonging, support, and identity

Being a part of a healthy community can also provide us with support. When we’re going through a difficult time, it can be enormously helpful to have people who we can turn to. Community members can offer us emotional support, practical help, and advice. They can also help us to feel we aren’t alone in our struggles.

A community can also help us to develop a sense of identity . When we’re part of a community, we learn about shared values and beliefs. We also learn about our history and culture. This can help us feel we have a place in the world, and that we are part of something important.

Community reduces stress and isolation

Finally, a community can also help to reduce stress and isolation. When we’re part of a community, we have people to talk to and connect with. This can help us to feel less alone—and therefore less stressed —as well as help us feel we’re part of something larger than ourselves. Research shows that people who are part of strong communities tend to have lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, and a lower risk of obesity. They are also more likely to exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet .

Thus, community helps reduce stress and isolation and, ultimately, benefits our physical health in addition to our mental health.

There are a number of ways to connect

There are a number of ways to connect to a community. Joining a club or organization with people who share your identity or values can be a ready-made way to connect. Joining a church or spiritual community can be a way to connect with people who share your values and beliefs. Support groups—led by mental health professionals, lay-led, or meetings such as 12-step programs—can provide support, reduce stress, and promote mental health.

Another avenue for community connection is through volunteering your time or attending community events. Even getting to know your neighbors and building relationships with them can provide a sense of belonging and reduce feelings of isolation.

Finding community can feel a little daunting, but it’s well worth the effort, providing relief from the pain that lack of connection, support, and experiences of isolation can bring.

Samantha Stein , Psy.D., is a psychologist in private practice in San Francisco. She works with couples and individuals, specializing in intimacy, sexuality, and self-realization.

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Why is Community Engagement Important?

With the rise in deepening and expanding public engagement globally, the importance of community engagement has become pivotal for well-functioning, twenty-first century democracies. Constructive relationships between communities and the institutions of government make community engagement not only desirable, but necessary and viable as it is likely to lead to more equitable, sustainable public decisions and improve the liveability of local communities. This is why community engagement is important for individuals, public organizations, and governments alike.

Where traditional, executive-led approaches are ineffective, community engagement is important in its collaborative approach to the design and/or delivery of services. For the complexity of issues in any given community – where traditional approaches have been ineffective if non-inclusive in the extreme – community engagement enables better understanding of communities’ needs and aspirations.

This article will explore the following topics

Why is community engagement important for:

• building and sustaining cohesive communities
• improving outcomes
• ensuring access and community empowerment
• helping local governments to promote sustainable decisions
• driving social transformation
• deepening democracies

Why should we use community engagement?

Community engagement builds and sustains cohesive communities.

Community engagement is primarily, part of a dialogue where organizations and communities can make decisions to create social capital.

Compelling stories of the importance of community engagement range from creating (or indeed preventing) change in local policies and service provisions that not only enrich everyday lives and liveability of communities, but help shape and envision a community’s future, bringing with it not only wider societal change but global impacts.

Community engagement leads to improved outcomes

Community engagement can lead to improved outcomes for communities when government organizations and public decision-making entities seek out the aspirations, concerns and values of communities, who, in turn, share their aspirations, concerns and values with governing entities. Incorporated into decision-making processes, public decision makers are better informed and better able to meet community needs.

Establishing long standing, effective partnerships between government organizations and communities, too, results in a greater sense of community ownership and an improved uptake of services as they are tailored to the unique aspirations of the community.

Community engagement ensures access and community empowerment

Meaningful, inclusive community engagement is important, even critical, to community well being.

Understood through the values of access and inclusivity, where community members are informed and educated on issues at hand, locals are able to contribute meaningfully to engagement and have the capacity to shape those activities. Building on the ideas of empowerment and participation, people’s wellbeing involves participating meaningfully in all aspects of one’s life . Community engagement, then, ensures that community members have access to valued social settings and activities, feel that they are able to contribute meaningfully to those activities, and develop functional capabilities that enable them to participate fully.

By including diverse voices, usually marginalized or overlooked voices are actively empowered within their community to participate in decision making that affects their everyday lives.

Community engagement helps local governments to promote sustainable decisions

Community engagement helps governments improve the efficiency, legitimacy and transparency of their decision making. By embracing and encouraging participation, it enables policy makers to make more informed decisions by engaging with, and carefully mapping out the needs, opinions and visions of local communities on issues that matter to them. It promotes sustainable decisions by recognizing and communicating the needs and interests of all participants – including decision makers. This increases acceptance of decisions and community commitment to outcomes as local knowledge from diverse groups shapes and creates inclusive, effective solutions. The flow on effect is increased trust in organizations and governance to make better public decisions.

This is especially vital given the declining trust in governments worldwide, which, coupled with the Smart City agenda, creates an opportunity for community engagement to deliver a transformative form of continuous engagement between citizens and governments.

“Community engagement is important as it takes action to influence stakeholders with government, political or funding power to implement public projects and policies that primarily benefit individual communities and drive social change.”

Community engagement drives social transformation

With an emphasis on collaboration and the promise of influence on decision making, the importance of community engagement is clear as it drives social transformation. It promotes advocacy that not only works to raise awareness, but passionate, locally-informed voices can be heard – especially during election time. As voters, communities have the power to make their voices heard. And elections represent a significant opportunity to drive change. Advocacy campaigns are at their most effective when local governments, municipalities and councils activate communities, mobilizing on issues that impact their everyday lives. For it is in the local, placed-based arena that community members can have their most direct impact on policy.

Traditionally, local government advocacy priorities have been determined by executive-led approach – essentially, without community input (and often buoyed by third-party research and data at times, leading to advocacy campaigns that worked to benefit external agencies). Community engagement is important as it takes action to influence stakeholders with government, political or funding power to implement public projects and policies that primarily benefit individual communities and drive social change.

Community engagement is critical to deepening democracies

Depending on the types of community engagement, and level of influence given over to communities in a public decision-making process, community engagement strives towards deliberative democracy which facilitates a collaborative exchange regarding a set of policies or actions.

Researchers have observed a pronounced expansion in community organizing since the mid 1980s – where they have increasingly become a locus of engagement during governments’ deregulation of power. Broadly speaking, since the 1990s, we have witnessed a rapid expansion in formal, state-based initiatives to facilitate public participation in decision making, where communities are invited to engage beyond voting.

The attendant mistrust or loss of faith in government and information on public policy through traditional and social news channels walks hand in hand with the shift from top-down governance to more horizontally organized governments. Here, all stakeholders of public policy projects – local governments and organizations, businesses, residents and communities – are brought into the decision-making process, nurturing the very democratic idea of community engagement that people should have a say over decisions that impact their everyday lives.

“All stakeholders[…] are brought into the decision-making process, nurturing the very democratic idea of community engagement that people should have a say over decisions that impact their everyday lives.”

Increasingly, over recent years, through digital democracy and digital participation in open government and e-democracy, digitization has spread into policy and decision making. This is coupled with wider social transformations as there is a call for transparency around public decisions and residents and communities are more motivated to weigh in on policies affecting their cities, towns and neighborhoods.

This is not to overlook the unbridled enthusiasm for technology that has, paradoxically, fuelled the current digital mistrust of tech and big data and the unreliability of information via social media. But, governments now must create intentional interactions that facilitates community engagement. In this way, digital-first engagement has a vital role. While the benefits of online community engagement are manifold in the current global state of digitization, digital-first engagement supports a continuous democracy and can enhance transparency and trust. For, primarily, digital-first engagement is more efficient – giving community leaders added opportunity to focus on community issues.

Community engagement increases the visibility and understanding of issues and empowers communities to have their say over decisions that affect their lives, their towns, cities and neighborhoods.

It provides opportunities for community members to contribute to public decision-making processes – and informing and educating communities on policy issues that impact their everyday lives. Through feedback, community engagement enables government and public decision-making organizations to listen and, in turn, demonstrate the impact of community contribution. Community engagement, then, builds deeper, stronger and more trusting relationships between public organizations and communities.

Explore the Community Engagement 101 Series:

What is Community Engagement

Why is Community Engagement Important

Benefits of Online Community Engagement

How do you Engage Communities Online

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to write a great community service essay.

College Admissions , Extracurriculars

Are you applying to a college or a scholarship that requires a community service essay? Do you know how to write an essay that will impress readers and clearly show the impact your work had on yourself and others?

Read on to learn step-by-step instructions for writing a great community service essay that will help you stand out and be memorable.

What Is a Community Service Essay? Why Do You Need One?

A community service essay is an essay that describes the volunteer work you did and the impact it had on you and your community. Community service essays can vary widely depending on specific requirements listed in the application, but, in general, they describe the work you did, why you found the work important, and how it benefited people around you.

Community service essays are typically needed for two reasons:

#1: To Apply to College

• Some colleges require students to write community service essays as part of their application or to be eligible for certain scholarships.
• You may also choose to highlight your community service work in your personal statement.

#2: To Apply for Scholarships

• Some scholarships are specifically awarded to students with exceptional community service experiences, and many use community service essays to help choose scholarship recipients.
• Green Mountain College offers one of the most famous of these scholarships. Their "Make a Difference Scholarship" offers full tuition, room, and board to students who have demonstrated a significant, positive impact through their community service

Getting Started With Your Essay

In the following sections, I'll go over each step of how to plan and write your essay. I'll also include sample excerpts for you to look through so you can get a better idea of what readers are looking for when they review your essay.

Step 1: Know the Essay Requirements

Before your start writing a single word, you should be familiar with the essay prompt. Each college or scholarship will have different requirements for their essay, so make sure you read these carefully and understand them.

Specific things to pay attention to include:

• Length requirement
• Application deadline
• The main purpose or focus of the essay
• If the essay should follow a specific structure

Below are three real community service essay prompts. Read through them and notice how much they vary in terms of length, detail, and what information the writer should include.

From the Equitable Excellence Scholarship:

"Describe your outstanding achievement in depth and provide the specific planning, training, goals, and steps taken to make the accomplishment successful. Include details about your role and highlight leadership you provided. Your essay must be a minimum of 350 words but not more than 600 words."

From the Laura W. Bush Traveling Scholarship:

"Essay (up to 500 words, double spaced) explaining your interest in being considered for the award and how your proposed project reflects or is related to both UNESCO's mandate and U.S. interests in promoting peace by sharing advances in education, science, culture, and communications."

From the LULAC National Scholarship Fund:

"Please type or print an essay of 300 words (maximum) on how your academic studies will contribute to your personal & professional goals. In addition, please discuss any community service or extracurricular activities you have been involved in that relate to your goals."

Step 2: Brainstorm Ideas

Even after you understand what the essay should be about, it can still be difficult to begin writing. Answer the following questions to help brainstorm essay ideas. You may be able to incorporate your answers into your essay.

• What community service activity that you've participated in has meant the most to you?
• What is your favorite memory from performing community service?
• Why did you decide to begin community service?
• What made you decide to volunteer where you did?
• How has your community service changed you?
• How has your community service helped others?
• How has your community service affected your plans for the future?

You don't need to answer all the questions, but if you find you have a lot of ideas for one of two of them, those may be things you want to include in your essay.

Writing Your Essay

How you structure your essay will depend on the requirements of the scholarship or school you are applying to. You may give an overview of all the work you did as a volunteer, or highlight a particularly memorable experience. You may focus on your personal growth or how your community benefited.

Regardless of the specific structure requested, follow the guidelines below to make sure your community service essay is memorable and clearly shows the impact of your work.

Samples of mediocre and excellent essays are included below to give you a better idea of how you should draft your own essay.

Step 1: Hook Your Reader In

You want the person reading your essay to be interested, so your first sentence should hook them in and entice them to read more. A good way to do this is to start in the middle of the action. Your first sentence could describe you helping build a house, releasing a rescued animal back to the wild, watching a student you tutored read a book on their own, or something else that quickly gets the reader interested. This will help set your essay apart and make it more memorable.

Compare these two opening sentences:

"I have volunteered at the Wishbone Pet Shelter for three years."

"The moment I saw the starving, mud-splattered puppy brought into the shelter with its tail between its legs, I knew I'd do whatever I could to save it."

The first sentence is a very general, bland statement. The majority of community service essays probably begin a lot like it, but it gives the reader little information and does nothing to draw them in. On the other hand, the second sentence begins immediately with action and helps persuade the reader to keep reading so they can learn what happened to the dog.

Step 2: Discuss the Work You Did

Once you've hooked your reader in with your first sentence, tell them about your community service experiences. State where you work, when you began working, how much time you've spent there, and what your main duties include. This will help the reader quickly put the rest of the essay in context and understand the basics of your community service work.

Not including basic details about your community service could leave your reader confused.

Step 3: Include Specific Details

It's the details of your community service that make your experience unique and memorable, so go into the specifics of what you did.

For example, don't just say you volunteered at a nursing home; talk about reading Mrs. Johnson her favorite book, watching Mr. Scott win at bingo, and seeing the residents play games with their grandchildren at the family day you organized. Try to include specific activities, moments, and people in your essay. Having details like these let the readers really understand what work you did and how it differs from other volunteer experiences.

Compare these two passages:

"For my volunteer work, I tutored children at a local elementary school. I helped them improve their math skills and become more confident students."

"As a volunteer at York Elementary School, I worked one-on-one with second and third graders who struggled with their math skills, particularly addition, subtraction, and fractions. As part of my work, I would create practice problems and quizzes and try to connect math to the students' interests. One of my favorite memories was when Sara, a student I had been working with for several weeks, told me that she enjoyed the math problems I had created about a girl buying and selling horses so much that she asked to help me create math problems for other students."

The first passage only gives basic information about the work done by the volunteer; there is very little detail included, and no evidence is given to support her claims. How did she help students improve their math skills? How did she know they were becoming more confident?

The second passage is much more detailed. It recounts a specific story and explains more fully what kind of work the volunteer did, as well as a specific instance of a student becoming more confident with her math skills. Providing more detail in your essay helps support your claims as well as make your essay more memorable and unique.

Step 4: Show Your Personality

It would be very hard to get a scholarship or place at a school if none of your readers felt like they knew much about you after finishing your essay, so make sure that your essay shows your personality. The way to do this is to state your personal strengths, then provide examples to support your claims. Take some time to think about which parts of your personality you would like your essay to highlight, then write about specific examples to show this.

• If you want to show that you're a motivated leader, describe a time when you organized an event or supervised other volunteers.
• If you want to show your teamwork skills, write about a time you helped a group of people work together better.
• If you want to show that you're a compassionate animal lover, write about taking care of neglected shelter animals and helping each of them find homes.

Step 5: State What You Accomplished

After you have described your community service and given specific examples of your work, you want to begin to wrap your essay up by stating your accomplishments. What was the impact of your community service? Did you build a house for a family to move into? Help students improve their reading skills? Clean up a local park? Make sure the impact of your work is clear; don't be worried about bragging here.

If you can include specific numbers, that will also strengthen your essay. Saying "I delivered meals to 24 home-bound senior citizens" is a stronger example than just saying "I delivered meals to lots of senior citizens."

Also be sure to explain why your work matters. Why is what you did important? Did it provide more parks for kids to play in? Help students get better grades? Give people medical care who would otherwise not have gotten it? This is an important part of your essay, so make sure to go into enough detail that your readers will know exactly what you accomplished and how it helped your community.

"My biggest accomplishment during my community service was helping to organize a family event at the retirement home. The children and grandchildren of many residents attended, and they all enjoyed playing games and watching movies together."

"The community service accomplishment that I'm most proud of is the work I did to help organize the First Annual Family Fun Day at the retirement home. My job was to design and organize fun activities that senior citizens and their younger relatives could enjoy. The event lasted eight hours and included ten different games, two performances, and a movie screening with popcorn. Almost 200 residents and family members attended throughout the day. This event was important because it provided an opportunity for senior citizens to connect with their family members in a way they aren't often able to. It also made the retirement home seem more fun and enjoyable to children, and we have seen an increase in the number of kids coming to visit their grandparents since the event."

The second passage is stronger for a variety of reasons. First, it goes into much more detail about the work the volunteer did. The first passage only states that she helped "organize a family event." That really doesn't tell readers much about her work or what her responsibilities were. The second passage is much clearer; her job was to "design and organize fun activities."

The second passage also explains the event in more depth. A family day can be many things; remember that your readers are likely not familiar with what you're talking about, so details help them get a clearer picture.

Lastly, the second passage makes the importance of the event clear: it helped residents connect with younger family members, and it helped retirement homes seem less intimidating to children, so now some residents see their grand kids more often.

Step 6: Discuss What You Learned

One of the final things to include in your essay should be the impact that your community service had on you. You can discuss skills you learned, such as carpentry, public speaking, animal care, or another skill.

You can also talk about how you changed personally. Are you more patient now? More understanding of others? Do you have a better idea of the type of career you want? Go into depth about this, but be honest. Don't say your community service changed your life if it didn't because trite statements won't impress readers.

In order to support your statements, provide more examples. If you say you're more patient now, how do you know this? Do you get less frustrated while playing with your younger siblings? Are you more willing to help group partners who are struggling with their part of the work? You've probably noticed by now that including specific examples and details is one of the best ways to create a strong and believable essay .

"As a result of my community service, I learned a lot about building houses and became a more mature person."

"As a result of my community service, I gained hands-on experience in construction. I learned how to read blueprints, use a hammer and nails, and begin constructing the foundation of a two-bedroom house. Working on the house could be challenging at times, but it taught me to appreciate the value of hard work and be more willing to pitch in when I see someone needs help. My dad has just started building a shed in our backyard, and I offered to help him with it because I know from my community service how much work it is. I also appreciate my own house more, and I know how lucky I am to have a roof over my head."

The second passage is more impressive and memorable because it describes the skills the writer learned in more detail and recounts a specific story that supports her claim that her community service changed her and made her more helpful.

Step 7: Finish Strong

Just as you started your essay in a way that would grab readers' attention, you want to finish your essay on a strong note as well. A good way to end your essay is to state again the impact your work had on you, your community, or both. Reiterate how you changed as a result of your community service, why you found the work important, or how it helped others.

Compare these two concluding statements:

"In conclusion, I learned a lot from my community service at my local museum, and I hope to keep volunteering and learning more about history."

"To conclude, volunteering at my city's American History Museum has been a great experience. By leading tours and participating in special events, I became better at public speaking and am now more comfortable starting conversations with people. In return, I was able to get more community members interested in history and our local museum. My interest in history has deepened, and I look forward to studying the subject in college and hopefully continuing my volunteer work at my university's own museum."

The second passage takes each point made in the first passage and expands upon it. In a few sentences, the second passage is able to clearly convey what work the volunteer did, how she changed, and how her volunteer work benefited her community.

The author of the second passage also ends her essay discussing her future and how she'd like to continue her community service, which is a good way to wrap things up because it shows your readers that you are committed to community service for the long-term.

What's Next?

Are you applying to a community service scholarship or thinking about it? We have a complete list of all the community service scholarships available to help get your search started!

Do you need a community service letter as well? We have a step-by-step guide that will tell you how to get a great reference letter from your community service supervisor.

Thinking about doing community service abroad? Before you sign up, read our guide on some of the hazards of international volunteer trips and how to know if it's the right choice for you.

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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The importance of community: 7 key benefits

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Humans aren't meant to be alone all the time: connecting as part of a meaningful community is important for our mental well-being. Dee Marques discovers seven ways in which community belonging can benefit both you and those around you.

Indeed, some studies have linked the emotional strain of loneliness caused by social isolation to physical illness , including sleep disorders , heart disease and a weakened immune system. A Public Health study done in Canada even ranked social isolation as a higher risk factor for premature death .

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Having said that, the past year or so has been a strange one for social interaction and personal relationships . On the one hand, lockdown measures and work-from-home arrangements have made it harder to meet and connect with others, so feelings of isolation and loneliness are on the rise .

However, that hasn't undermined the importance of community. On the contrary, these changes have prompted many people to reconsider the significance of neighborhood feeling, bringing the concept of meaningful belonging back into the spotlight.

“Belonging to a group or community we can identify with helps us develop a stronger sense of personal and collective identity. It can also give a boost to our self-esteem.”

For example, during the past few months we have seen communities coming together with fundraising initiatives to help those struggling financially or otherwise. Others have learnt to sew just to be able to make PPE – such as face masks – and delivered them to those who needed them the most.  

The importance of community: 7 benefits it offers

To understand why neighborhood action and community is meaningful and beneficial to our well-being, we can look at seven ways in which belonging to one can help us.  

1. Support and safety

Living with uncertainty has become the norm during the COVID pandemic. This has made it more important than ever to have a strong support network in place. Indeed, one of the main reasons behind the importance of community is that it can help fight feelings of hopelessness and give us the certainty that we are safe when surrounded by our community. Furthermore, the benefits go both ways, since supporting others also gives us a boost.  

2. Connection and belonging

Togetherness is so central to our experience as humans; that feeling we are part of something bigger can help give meaning to our lives. Finding others with the same values, interests, and world views makes us realise that we’re not alone and makes us feel valued. Indeed, belonging highlights why community is necessary: being accepted into a group gives us a stronger sense of self and can help us cope with negative experiences and feelings.

3. Influence

Sometimes we need an extra push to stop us from falling into unhealthy habits or thoughts. Experiencing the positive influence of like-minded people is another reason behind the importance of community. Studies confirm that our overall health is partly determined by our ability to look after ourselves , but sometimes we simply don’t feel capable of it. Communities can influence us and motivate us to invest in our well-being and to bring positive changes to our lives. RELATED: Happy habits – 12 ways to boost your joy levels daily

Sharing activities, ideas and feelings reinforces not only our sense of self, but also adds worth and value to the community. Indeed, the more the merrier applies in this case! That’s not to mention the huge beneficial effect sharing can have on mental health : higher engagement, positive emotions, and empowerment are only some of the benefits. Sharing is caring.

5. Learning

Communities are usually built around common interests, but that doesn’t mean they’re homogeneous. We can still find people within them who have different views, experiences, or beliefs, and learning from them can help us reach insights that we may not have reached on our own.

6. Acceptance

Developing community bonds with others who have different views may be challenging, but it’s also an opportunity to practise acceptance. I had a personal breakthrough when I read this article and understood that acceptance doesn’t necessarily imply agreement.

“One of the main reasons behind the importance of community is that it can help fight feelings of hopelessness and give us the certainty that we are safe.”

This valuable lesson can bring peace and relief. And there’s another side to acceptance: self-acceptance . Community belonging helps us accept that sometimes we’re strong and sometimes we’re vulnerable and that we need the support of others to avoid unnecessary emotional struggles and pain.

7. More connections, more chances of success

The importance of community goes beyond the personal sphere and extends to professional development. Since the pandemic begun we’ve seen a stronger focus on supporting local businesses, so this is a good place to start networking and building strong relationships. You never know where that could take your business idea or professional life.  

The importance of community action

Communities are not abstract entities, so practical actions are needed to really take the importance of community further and make a difference. This is the basis of so-called community action initiatives. In fact, these are so important to society that many local authorities now have dedicated resources and invest in community building programmes.  

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An example is the Community Organisers initiative, launched in the UK to give communities the tools to identify and solve local challenges by bringing everyone together. The Community Organisers Stafford group was aware that many people struggled to make ends meet and set up a social supermarket that was supported by local shop owners, grocery stores and volunteers.

Surplus food was donated and then sold at discounted prices that even those on a low income could afford. In just a few months, the programme was feeding more than 100 local families. It helped stigmatise financial hardship as well as remind residents that the community is there for them.

On that note, it’s essential to remember that community action doesn’t need to involve grand gestures. Sometimes the best way of contributing to our community is to give: be it time, money, or  kindness to others with small daily gestures. One thing is for sure: if we look around us with the intention to help, we will find ways of doing it, and in the process we will be contributing to making our community stronger.

We can all do something to build meaningful human relationships and benefit from the healing power that comes with a sense of community and a richer perspective. So, why not set the goal of developing deeper bonds with others in our immediate community? Today is a good day to starting looking for or creating your own network and to begin to experience the importance and power of community. •

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Written by Dee Marques

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The Importance of Healthy Communities

The community’s health depends not only on the residents’ genetics but also on the environment in which the residents are located. As such, a person’s health is dependent on the environment in which they live. Hence, a healthy community can be described as one in which residents have access to aspects that promote healthy living, such as adequate health care, physical activity, nutrition, quality employment, transportation, education, and safe and comfortable homes. Unhealthy homes and communities can increase the chances of having chronic diseases such as heart diseases, cancer, and diabetes.

In today’s world, when chronic lifestyle diseases are on the rise as a result of unhealthy living caused by poorly planned communities, healthy communities are critical. Health communities are essential to the development of a region in which resources that would have been spent on preventing chronic diseases are instead used to improve sustainable communities (Lesorogol et al., 2019). Physical exercise is a known variant when it comes to maintaining a healthy living, thus, healthy communities encourage physical exercise in addition to growth. Physical activities are promoted by health professionals because they are important in preventing chronic diseases. Another important aspect of healthy communities is improved air quality. Many residents, particularly in urban regions, are exposed to harmful chemicals as a result of the numerous companies that exist there. These hazardous gases have a number of negative consequences that have a significant impact on the health of local residents. Fresh market food encourages a diet that is devoid of additives and preservatives. A healthy community relies on access to high-quality, low-cost healthcare. Quality health care is available to all residents in well-established communities.

Healthy communities are built in such a way that variables that influence healthy living are encouraged. As a result, various factors should be considered when developing such communities. Access to quality health care has been known to promote healthy communities. The Lincy Institute, 2021). It is critical to address the discrepancies in access to health care. Health care access is more difficult to get by in communities with lower per capita income. As a result, when creating regulations governing access to medical treatment, a community health system should address such considerations. Minimizing the expense of medical treatment, as well as building medical facilities and programs that promote access to high-quality care, are examples of such policies.

In addition to medical infrastructure, a health public policy should be implemented. The establishment of policies in non-health sectors, such as public transit, food policy, or rules guiding sustainable production, is referred to as public health policy. A well-managed health public policy aims to improve the population’s health. Because of the many elements that influence human health at the community level, public health policy is extremely significant. Transportation alternatives, neighborhood design, access to healthy food options, and recreation possibilities are all examples of things that happen in our communities.

Unsafe and substandard homes put persons at risk of ill health or accidents. Asthma is common among children who live in inadequate housing, according to studies. Poor ventilation, mildew from water leaks, and pest infestation are all factors that contribute to unhealthy dwellings (The Lincy Institute, 2021). Addressing the problem of dangerous housing in the neighborhood helps to create healthier communities. Investing in the community utilizing an asset-based strategy benefits both individuals and communities by concentrating on the individual’s or community’s skills, knowledge, and strengths. Traditional approaches have concentrated on flaws in the community approach that has not worked to address issues like obesity, poverty, and homelessness. As a result of this approach, specialists from outside the community have been brought in to deliver interventions. In contrast, the asset-based approach focuses on communities developing their own strengths, knowledge, and skills in order to form their own solutions.

The Lincy Institute. (2021). What is a Healthy Community? 

Lesorogol, C., Baumann, A. A., Eyler, A., Metzger, M. W., Reis, R. S., & Tabak, R. G. (2019). Building Healthy, Diverse, and Thriving Communities. Toward a Livable Life: A 21st Century Agenda for Social Work , 211. 

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Importance of cleanliness in community living.

Everyone loves a clean and neat environment that is pollution free. However, few people take the necessary initiative to ensure cleanliness. Although there are government agencies and NGOs tasked with maintaining a clean environment, it is crucial that they are accorded the necessary support by the communities involved. Maintaining a clean environment goes a long way in ensuring you live a healthy and long, happy life.

It is common knowledge that pollution effects will continue to increase drastically as the population grows. This could lead to catastrophic consequences such as global warming, flash floods and adverse health complications. For instance, homeless encampment cleanup helps eliminate hazardous and infectious waste that could negatively affect the environment and the local people. Taking proper action towards creating a green and clean environment can help reduce environmental damage and protect people from diseases and infections. Here are some of the main benefits you’re likely to reap from maintaining cleanliness in your community:

1. It Makes the Neighborhood More Attractive to Business

Dumpy-looking neighborhoods that smell or look like trash can be undesirable to live and work in. However, keeping your neighborhood clean and neat could earn the place a good reputation and significantly improve its residents’ quality of life.

Businesses naturally prefer neat neighborhoods which are well cared for. This is simply because such neighborhoods attract more people, and its residents will often have some extra money to spend. A well-implemented community cleanup program has the potential to elevate a community’s economic status by attracting new services and shops for residents.

2. Improve Neighborhood Health

Huge amounts of garbage and hazardous trash and garbage offer an ideal breeding ground for insects and rodents, increase pollution and promote unsanitary conditions that may lead to health issues. A dirty environment creates the perfect conditions for harmful disease-causing germs to spread rapidly in the community. Dirty environments can make it unsafe for children to play outside while increasing the overall stress on everyone in the community. Cleaning up the neighborhood offers immediate and real health benefits to the residents while encouraging them to explore further the possibilities of improving neighborhood wellness.It’s crucial you remain conscious of how you manage and dispose of waste . Living in a clean environment can also be more fulfilling and enjoyable.

3. Reduce or Eliminate Pollution

It’s also important to keep your community clean so that humans, animals, and plants are not exposed to harmful pollutants. Not maintaining a clean environment only means the resulting pollution will ultimately impact nature. Managing solid waste properly prevents air and water pollution while recycling and reusing products will help reduce the need to extract Earth’s natural resources. An unhealthy environment has adverse effects on the entire ecosystem. For instance, consumer plastics that end up at sea pose an existential threat to all marine life.

Maintaining cleanliness in your community is incredibly important. Not only does it create a safe environment for the residents, but it also facilitates mental and physical growth and well-being and makes it more attractive for businesses. Maintaining a pollution-free environment is the key to our continued survival and existence on planet Earth. You can contribute to cleanliness by reducing pollution and proper waste disposal.

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The Health and Well-being Impacts of Community Shared Meal Programs for Older Populations: A Scoping Review

Georgia middleton.

Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Karen A Patterson

College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Eimear Muir-Cochrane

Stefania velardo.

College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Fidelma McCorry

Centre of Research Excellence in Translating Nutritional Science to Good Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

John Coveney

Associated data, background and objectives.

There are social and economic benefits to supporting individuals to live independently for as long as possible. Structured shared meal programs provide opportunities for older individuals to connect in their communities and likely impact their health and well-being. Research in this area has not been summarized in recent years. This scoping review was undertaken to explore the impact shared meal programs may have for older community-dwelling adults.

Research Design and Methods

Nine databases were systematically searched in 2020, and 5,996 unique studies were identified. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full text for inclusion. Reference lists of included papers were hand searched, and the search was updated in 2021. Eighteen studies were included in the final review.

Studies were published between 1980 and 2021 and most were published in the United States. Most studies were cross-sectional, two adopted a qualitative design, one a cohort design. Significant associations were reported between shared meal programs and improved dietary intake; however, minimal improvements were reported for physical health measures. The programs had a positive impact on attendees’ social networks and perceived well-being.

Discussion and Implications

Structured shared meal programs show promise in supporting the health and well-being of older adults in the community. They provide additional nutrition, opportunities for social connection, and are perceived to contribute to perceived well-being. More investigation is required to understand how these programs work to facilitate health and well-being, and how they can best be used to improve health outcomes for older populations.

Translational Significance: The potential impact of shared meal programs on the health and well-being of older adults is not yet known. This review aimed to identify whether these programs could be a potential approach for promoting health and well-being in older adults. The findings identified that these programs may have this potential; however, more work is required to understand the value of these programs beyond the nutritional value of the food provided. Once we have this understanding, we can improve current programs and develop future programs that will enhance the health, well-being, and life satisfaction of older adults.

In 2019, 703 million individuals across the globe were aged 65 years or over ( United Nations, 2019 ). This is projected to grow to 1.5 billion in 2050 due to the increases in life expectancy seen across the world ( United Nations, 2019 ; WHO 2011 ). Aging is commonly associated with deteriorations in health and mobility, and increased frailty and disability ( Ferrucci et al. 2016 ; Steed et al. 2007 ), in some instances demanding higher levels of care. Not surprisingly, there are clear social and economic benefits associated with keeping individuals in their own homes and living independently for as long as possible ( WHO 2011 ). However, with declining support from families, there is an increased need for community-based services and systems to support independent living and “aging in place” ( Bigonnesse & Chaudhury, 2020 ).

Inadequate nutrition is a key risk factor contributing to development and worsening of chronic conditions in older adults ( Keller, 2004 ; MacIntosh et al., 2000 ). Good nutrition reduces the risk of malnutrition and diet-related illnesses, maintains muscle mass and cognitive performance, and prevents frailty among older adults ( Boulos et al., 2017 ; Drewnowski & Shultz, 2001 ; Klimova et al., 2020 ; Payette & Shatenstein, 2005 ). The mechanisms contributing to inadequate nutrition in older adults are complex, and reduced dietary intake is a known key contributor ( Ahmed & Haboubi, 2010 ). Reduced dietary intake is often attributed to the physiological changes of aging, along with reductions in sensitivity of tastebuds, appetite, and desire to eat ( Ahmed & Haboubi, 2010 ; Donini et al., 2003 ; Whitelock & Ensaff, 2018 ). However, other factors that contribute to reduced dietary intake include physical limitations, loss of a spouse, loneliness, and social isolation ( Andersen & Brunner, 2020 ; Bloom et al., 2017 ; Donini et al., 2003 ; Whitelock & Ensaff, 2018 ). These factors can encourage meal skipping, preparation of simple meals, avoidance of certain foods, and reliance on ready meals ( Whitelock & Ensaff, 2018 ).

In addition to potentially comprising dietary intake, loneliness and social isolation can negatively impact the health and well-being of older individuals ( Goll et al., 2015 ; Luanaigh & Lawlor, 2008 ; Yang et al., 2016 ). Both social isolation and loneliness are linked to a range of negative health outcomes, such as poor psychological well-being (including increased levels of depression and anxiety), increased mortality rates, and cognitive decline ( Goll et al., 2015 ; Luanaigh & Lawlor, 2008 ; Nicholson, 2012 ; Yang et al., 2016 ). Global estimates of older adults experiencing loneliness and social isolation are not known; however, it is estimated to be high, ranging from 10% to 43% ( Nicholson, 2012 ; WHO, 2021 ). Common life changes associated with aging, such as retirement, loss of a spouse or loved one, the passing of friends and neighbors, and adult children moving away, can all contribute to feelings of social isolation and loneliness ( Goll et al., 2015 ; Grenade & Boldy, 2008 ; Nicholson, 2012 ). This has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated imposed isolation restrictions and physical distancing measures ( Hwang et al., 2020 ; WHO, 2021 ).

Commensality, or the sharing of food in a social environment, has been shown to provide benefits for both social and physical health ( Dunbar, 2017 ; Jönsson et al., 2021 ; Ochs & Shohet, 2006 ). Commensal eating occasions are noteworthy, given they could concurrently combat both inadequate nutrition and experiences of loneliness and social isolation in older adults. Social facilitation of eating, whereby individuals eat more food in the presence of familiar others, has been demonstrated in prior research ( Ruddock et al., 2019 ), with increases in food intake up to 60% specifically in older populations ( McAlpine et al., 2003 ). There is also evidence that sharing food enhances the strength of social connections and bonds ( Dunbar, 2017 ). Sharing meals with others symbolizes community, provides opportunities for social interactions, information exchange, and supportive relationships ( Andersen & Brunner, 2020 ; Kushida et al., 2020 ). Research has shown that those who engage regularly in commensal eating events feel happier, have higher life satisfaction, are more engaged, and have more friends they can depend on ( Dunbar, 2017 ).

Structured, shared meal occasions in the community offer an opportunity for older individuals to address and mediate the risk factors associated with poor nutrition, social isolation, and loneliness ( Herne 2009 ; Stehouwer 2014 ). Shared meal programs for older individuals have existed in the community, either formally or informally, for many years, in various forms. These programs are often subsidized, offered to older individuals to provide nutrition through a shared meal, and in some cases also include opportunities for physical activity, information, and other supports ( Lloyd & Wellman, 2015 ). Shared meal programs have been reported to foster social connections and interactions, provide companionship, offer support, and contribute to feelings of a better quality of life ( Herne, 2009 ; Kirk et al., 2001 ; Middleton et al. 2022 ; Stehouwer, 2014 ). However, a formal review of the impact these types of occasions have on the health and well-being of older individuals living in the community has not yet been undertaken.

Previous literature reviews have explored aspects of shared meal programs ( Beck et al., 2020 ; Herne, 2009 ; Stehouwer, 2014 ); however, to our knowledge, there has not been a review exploring the impact of structured shared meal programs on the health and well-being of older adults in the community. In Stehouwer et al.’s review, they noted that the majority of research in this space focuses on nutritional and physical outcomes and highlighted a gap in the literature on the psychosocial outcomes of participating in such programs ( Stehouwer, 2014 ). Therefore, this review set out to explore the potential impact structured shared meal programs may have on older adults living in the community, including outcomes beyond just nutrition and physical health, including a specific focus on psychosocial health.

Research Question, Aims, and Objectives

This review set out to answer the following question: What is known from the existing literature about the impact structured commensal eating events have on adults over 60 years of age in the community?

The objectives of this scoping review are as follows:

• To identify the scope of relevant literature in this field
• To explore the impact structured commensal eating events have on older individuals in the community
• To explore the health or well-being outcomes they may gain from attending such events

Scoping reviews are appropriate when an area of research has not yet been extensively reviewed, and when looking to identify gaps in existing literature ( Arksey & O’Malley, 2005 ). As such, it was deemed that a scoping review would be the most suitable approach to address our research question and objectives. Arskey and O’Malley’s scoping review framework, Levac and colleagues’ expanded version ( Arksey & O’Malley, 2005 ; Levac et al., 2010 ), and Tricco and colleagues’ PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) were used to guide and structure this review ( Arksey & O’Malley, 2005 ; Levac et al., 2010 ; Tricco et al., 2018 ). This manuscript follows the reporting guidelines of the PRISMA-ScR Checklist ( Tricco et al., 2018 ).

Study Eligibility

To be included in this review, the average age of study populations had to be ≥60 years, and participants had to be living in the community. This review excluded studies where the average age of participants was less than 60 years, those living in aged or residential care facilities, or residing in hospital.

Intervention

The intervention of interest was structured shared meal programs with peers, not with family, volunteers, health professionals, or similar. Shared meals had to be structured events held regularly in the community, but not in residential care or hospital facilities. Studies focused exclusively on shopping, cooking, or home-delivered programs were excluded, unless they included or compared against a shared meal program component. Studies evaluating interventions held at shared meal programs were not included if they did not measure the outcomes of the shared meal program itself.

It was not a criterion that all included studies contain an intervention and control study sample. For studies that did, the control group was those who did not attend the shared meal program, or those who participated in other meal services that did not contain a social component.

Studies had to report outcomes related to the impact of the shared meal programs on objective or subjective measures of health or well-being. This review was not interested in evaluations of the shared meal programs themselves (e.g., the quality of the food, the quality of the service), but rather the impact the shared meal programs had on participants (e.g., changes to dietary intake or social contact). Studies exclusively reporting descriptive characteristics of participants attending shared meal programs were excluded.

Study design

This review considered most study designs. Excluded were systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and umbrella reviews. Non-original articles were excluded, such as book chapters, editorials, case studies, conference proceedings, and abstracts.

Information Sources

The databases searched include Medline (via OVID SP), EmCare (via OVID SP), CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection (via ISI Web of Science), ProQuest (social sciences and Health & Medicine collections), and Informit. Unpublished and gray literature studies were located through Google advanced and GreyLit databases.

Search Strategy

An initial limited search of Medline and EmCare was used to develop the search strategy and identify key search terms. Key search terms were combined using the AND/OR operators for the population (elder*, geriatric*, gerontol*, old age*, grandparent*, retire*, pensioner*, senior*, old*, age*, aging, person, people*, adult*, resident* m?n, wom?n, male*, female*) and setting (social, group, structure*, formal, commensal, communit*, communal, congregate*, shar*, meal*, food*, eating, dining), and were limited to English. The search strategy was run in the databases listed above, adjusted as needed, on June 5, 2020 and updated on June 11, 2021. A full electronic search strategy for Ovid Medline is provided in Supplementary Table 1 . The reference lists of included papers were screened to identify any additional studies and search alerts were set up in several databases to ensure relevant papers were captured.

Study Selection

After running the searches in the selected databases, all identified citations were uploaded into EndNote ( Clarivate Analytics, 2022 ) before being exported to Covidence systematic review software ( Veritas Health Innovation, 2022 ). Duplicates were removed, and title and abstract screening were undertaken against predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria by two independent reviewers, with conflicts resolved by a third reviewer. Studies identified as relevant were read in full against predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria by two independent reviewers and conflicts were resolved by a third reviewer. Studies excluded after full-text review were recorded, with reasons reported in the PRISMA diagram ( Figure 1 ; Moher et al., 2009 ).

PRISMA flowchart of search strategy and included papers.

Data Extraction

Data related to the scoping review objectives were extracted from included studies by one reviewer (G. Middleton) using a predetermined data-extraction spreadsheet. Extraction was conducted twice on all studies to ensure all relevant data had been captured. Data were extracted on the study population, context and setting, geographical location, methodology and methods, shared meal program, and relevant findings.

Data Analysis and Synthesis of Studies

All data pertaining to any “impact” the shared meal programs had on participants were extracted. After data were extracted from each individual study, findings that reported similar outcomes were grouped together into categories. As this is a scoping review, no further synthesis, meta-analysis, or meta-aggregation was undertaken ( Arksey & O’Malley, 2005 ). The synthesis findings were informed by a sequential explanatory approach, whereby the quantitative findings were extracted, synthesized, and compared, prior to the extraction, synthesis, and comparison of the qualitative findings ( Pluye & Hong, 2014 ).

The development of the categories was iterative and underwent many changes, before being finalized as: Dietary intake/meal patterns; Nutrition status; Physical health; Social support/network; and Well-being/Quality of life. “Dietary intake/meal patterns” included outcomes related to intake or perception of intake of meal patterns and dietary or meal composition. “Nutrition status” included outcomes related to nutrition status acquired from biochemical assessment, or perceptions or assessments of nutrition risk. “Physical health” included outcomes related to any measures or perceptions of physical health or ability, such as markers of physical health (e.g., blood pressure), physical activity or ability. “Social support/network” included outcomes related to perceived levels of social support or connectedness. “Well-being/Quality of life” included outcomes of “well-being” defined as the combination of positive feelings and effective functioning in daily life ( Huppert, 2009 ), and of “quality of life” defined as any measure of an individual’s perception of their position in life ( The WHOQOL Group, 1998 ). The results are presented in narrative form supplemented with tables. As both the qualitative and quantitative data extracted from the included studies complemented one another, and easily fit under the five developed categories, they are presented together.

Study Inclusion

After the processes of title, abstract, and full-text screening were undertaken, there were 12 relevant papers included in this review ( Figure 1 ). An additional four articles were located through hand-searching of reference lists, one additional article was located through the updated search in 2021, and another was located through search alerts in 2022. Eighteen articles in total were included in this review.

Characteristics of Included Studies

The characteristics and results of the included papers are presented in detail in Table 1 and Supplementary Table 2 . The papers included in this review were published between 1980 and 2021. Two of the included studies had a qualitative design ( Sheppard et al., 2018 ; Thomas & Emond, 2017 ), one had a cohort design ( Keller, 2006 ), and the remaining fifteen had a cross-sectional design. Study samples ranged from 9 to 1,072, participant ages ranged from 51 to 103 years of age, and females made up a large proportion of participants in each study (50% to 87.5% female participants). The main sources of data collection were interview-administered surveys (Administration for Community Living [ACL], 2004 , 2008, 2009, 2011–2019; Beasley et al., 2018 ; Choi et al., 2021 ; Dichiera et al., 2002 ; Heuberger & Wong, 2014 ; Huffman et al., 2017 ; Keller, 2006 ; Kohrs et al., 1980 ; Neyman et al., 1998 ; Vailas et al., 1998 ; Van Zandt & Fox, 1986 ; Ye et al., 2017 ), self-administered surveys ( Neyman et al., 1996 ; Porter et al., 2016 ; Schultz et al., 2021 ; Tsofliou et al., 2020 ), interviews ( Thomas & Emond, 2017 ), and focus groups ( Sheppard et al., 2018 ). Survey tools varied depending on the outcomes measured, and other data collection tools such as anthropometric measurements, biochemical measurements, and food intake measurements were varied across studies.

Study Characteristics of Included Papers

Note : CMS = congregate meal services; HDM = home-delivered meals; IF = institutional food service; NSOAAP = National Survey of Older Americans Act Participants; OAA = Older Americans Act; Nutrition Services Program ; SCREEN = Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition©; y/o = years old.

Of the 18 included papers, two were conducted in the United Kingdom ( Thomas & Emond, 2017 ; Tsofliou et al., 2020 ), two in Canada ( Keller, 2006 ; Sheppard et al., 2018 ), one each in China ( Ye et al., 2017 ) and South Korea ( Choi et al., 2021 ), and the remaining 12 in the United States. All but one paper from the United States assessed the Older Americans Act (OAA) Title III Nutrition Services Program (NSP). This program provides state funding to nutrition services that support older populations, including both shared meal and home-delivered meal programs (Administration for Community Living [ACL], 2021 ). The ACL administers annual surveys on the OAA Title III NSP; The National Survey of Older Americans Act Participants (NSOAAP). Thirteen of these surveys are publicly available on the “AGing, Independence, and Disability (AGID) Program Data Portal,” from years 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011–2019 ( ACL, 2004 , 2008, 2009, 2011–2019). Results from these nationally collected surveys have been combined to present one set of results, representing the range of participants and responses from 2004 onwards (the 2003 survey did not contain data relevant to the review). Other studies that have conducted their own analyses or comparison on the data relating to congregate meal services, or who have collected their own data from the OAA Title III NSP congregate meal services, were included. The remaining studies investigated various other meal programs, many not specified beyond their service to older populations in the community ( Keller, 2006 ; Thomas & Emond, 2017 ; Tsofliou et al., 2020 ) or being conducted in “senior” centers ( Choi et al., 2021 ; Ye et al., 2017 ).

For more detail on individual study characteristics, see Table 1 .

Findings of the Review

Table 2 provides a summary of the impact on outcomes related to dietary intake and meal patterns, nutrition status, physical health, social support and network, and well-being and quality of life of the included studies.

Summary of Findings of Included Papers

Notes : — = outcome was measured, but no difference was noted; +ve = attendance has positive impact on outcome, or more positive than non-attendance; -ve = attendance had negative impact on outcome, or more negative than non-attendance; +ve or -ve indicate this finding was statistically significant.

a For detailed descriptions of the findings, see Supplementary Table 2 .

Dietary intake and meal patterns

Thirteen of the included studies quantitatively measured and reported outcomes related to dietary intake and meal patterns ( ACL, 2004 , 2008, 2009, 2011–2019; Beasley et al., 2018 ; Choi et al., 2021 ; Dichiera et al., 2002 ; Heuberger & Wong, 2014 ; Huffman et al., 2017 ; Kohrs et al., 1980 ; Neyman et al., 1998 ; Neyman et al., 1996 ; Porter et al., 2016 ; Schultz et al., 2021 ; Tsofliou et al., 2020 ; Van Zandt & Fox, 1986 ), and one explored this aspect using qualitative methods ( Sheppard et al., 2018 ). Eight of these studies measured outcomes of participants who attended a shared meal program, with no comparison to those who did not attend ( ACL, 2004 , 2008, 2009, 2011–2019; Beasley et al., 2018 ; Dichiera et al., 2002 ; Huffman et al., 2017 ; Porter et al., 2016 ; Sheppard et al., 2018 ; Tsofliou et al., 2020 ; Van Zandt & Fox, 1986 ). The remaining six investigated the dietary quality and meal patterns of those who attended shared meal programs, compared with those who did not attend, did not attend frequently, or attended a different program to the program of interest ( Choi et al., 2021 ; Heuberger & Wong, 2014 ; Kohrs et al., 1980 ; Neyman et al., 1996 , 1998 ; Schultz et al., 2021 ). All but four of these studies investigated the OAA Title III NSP, one of which compared the OAA Title III NSP with their own innovative program ( Schultz et al., 2021 ), two looked at shared meal programs for those aged over 65 years in the United Kingdom ( Tsofliou et al., 2020 ) and Canada, respectively ( Sheppard et al., 2018 ), and the last investigated a similar government-funded service to the OAA Title III NSP at a Social Leisure Services facility in South Korea ( Choi et al., 2021 ).

Participants across these studies reported a change in meal patterns since attending the shared meal program under investigation ( Van Zandt & Fox, 1986 ), enjoyed the food provided at the meal ( Van Zandt & Fox, 1986 ), felt the program helped keep food-related costs manageable ( Van Zandt & Fox, 1986 ), and viewed the meals as nutritionally balanced and contributing to a healthier diet ( ACL, 2004 , 2008, 2009, 2011–2019; Beasley et al., 2018 ; Dichiera et al., 2002 ; Huffman et al., 2017 ; Porter et al., 2016 ; Van Zandt & Fox, 1986 ). The most important factors of attending the meal, as rated by participants in Tsofliou et al.’s UK study, were accessing a hot meal (74.4%), eating a meal outside of the home (76.9%), eating a home-style cooked meal (71.8%), and not having to cook a meal themselves (43.6%) ( Tsofliou et al., 2020 ). For participants in Dichieria’s study, 63% reported enjoyment of the meals as a main reason for attending the program, followed by 57% reporting the low cost of the meals as a motivator for attending ( Dichiera et al., 2002 ). Participants in Sheppard et al.’s qualitative evaluation of the Let’s Do Lunch program in Canada described the program as an opportunity to enjoy healthy, tasty, inexpensive, and convenient meals ( Sheppard et al., 2018 ).

In terms of contribution to dietary intake, participants in Van Zandt and Fox’s cross-sectional study assumed that the food provided at the meal was sufficient for the day, or that it would be in addition to their intake at home ( Van Zandt & Fox, 1986 ). Huffman et al. reported some participants received >50% of their daily calories coming from the shared meal program ( Huffman et al., 2017 ), indicating that for some participants, shared meal programs provided a significant contribution to their dietary intake. This was also reported in Tsofliou et al.’s study, where days of attendance were significantly associated with greater intake of many nutrients, when compared with days they did not attend (all p values ≤ .031; Tsofliou et al., 2020 ). Other authors reported significant positive associations in the intake of nutrients and in overall diet ratings, dietary diversity, and dietary variety between individuals who attended the shared meals and those who did not ( Choi et al., 2021 ; Kohrs et al., 1980 ; Neyman et al., 1998 ). Participant gender was found to mediate some of these correlations; some benefits were only relevant to female or male attendees ( Huffman et al., 2017 ; Kohrs et al., 1980 ; Neyman et al., 1996 , 1998 ).

Contrary to these positive results, many studies reported shared meal attendees did not achieve their recommended dietary intake of many nutrients, and there were many instances where no significant associations were found between groups for vitamin and mineral intake ( Neyman et al., 1996 ), intake from some of the food groups ( Choi et al., 2021 ) or contribution of major food groups to energy intake ( Neyman et al., 1996 , 1998 ). Additionally, Neyman, Zidenberg-Cherr et al. reported no significant association of nutrient intakes on days participants attended the meal program, compared to days they did not attend ( Neyman et al., 1996 ). These findings were echoed by Heurberger and Wong, who reported no correlation between congregate meal attendance and nutritional intake for their population of widows ( Heuberger & Wong, 2014 ). Similarly, Shultz et al. reported no significant association of changes to food measures between or within their regular meal program and no meal program groups ( Schultz et al., 2021 ). Shultz et al. even found significant associations between higher healthy eating self-efficacy and frequency of vegetable intake in the no meal program group ( p = .042, p = .047) compared to their innovative Encore Café program group ( Schultz et al., 2021 ). These results indicate that the shared meal programs may positively contribute to dietary intake and meal patterns in some instances, for some population groups. However, these findings are not consistent, are based largely on correlational evidence, and it is hard to discern clear patterns.

Nutrition status

Five of the included papers measured outcomes related to nutrition status, or nutrition risk ( Keller, 2006 ; Kohrs et al., 1980 ; Neyman et al., 1996 ; Schultz et al., 2021 ; Vailas et al., 1998 ). Three of these papers investigated the OAA Title III NSP ( Kohrs et al., 1980 ; Neyman et al., 1996 ; Vailas et al., 1998 ), one explored various community care services in Canada, including congregate meal programs ( Keller, 2006 ), and the other explored the so-called “innovative Encore Café” program compared with non-use and use of traditional congregate meal programs in the United States ( Schultz et al., 2021 ). Kohrs et al. reported correlations between higher prevalence of less than acceptable concentrations of both vitamins A and C ( p < .001) for those who did not attend the meal program frequently when compared with those who did ( Kohrs et al., 1980 ). However, both Neyman, Zidenberg-Cherr et al. and Kohrs et al. reported no other significant associations between regularity or frequency of attendance and most biochemical markers ( Kohrs et al., 1980 ; Neyman et al., 1996 ). Or, where differences were found, there were no observable trends between those who did or did not attend. Both Vailas et al. and Keller et al. reported associations of greater nutritional risk for those not involved in the meal program ( Keller, 2006 ), or involved in home delivery meal programs ( Keller, 2006 ; Vailas et al., 1998 ) than those who were regularly involved, with Vailas et al. reporting a significant difference between the two ( p < .05). This sits in contrast to Schultz et al.’s study, where the majority of the participants in both the traditional congregate meal program and the innovative Encore Café program were classified as “at nutritional risk” ( Schultz et al., 2021 ).

Physical health

Six studies measured outcomes related to physical health for those who attended shared meal programs ( ACL, 2004 , 2008, 2009, 2011–2019; Beasley et al., 2018 ; Choi et al., 2021 ; Kohrs et al., 1980 ; Neyman et al., 1996 ). Again, all but two study populations were from the OAA Title III NSP. Authors who measured physical health outcomes between attendees and non-attendees of the shared meal program reported no significant associations between appetite rating ( Neyman et al., 1996 ), health rating ( Choi et al., 2021 ; Neyman et al., 1996 ; Schultz et al., 2021 ), body mass index ( Choi et al., 2021 ; Neyman et al., 1996 ), chewing difficulty ( Choi et al., 2021 ), and all other anthropometrical measures ( Kohrs et al., 1980 ). Kohrs et al. reported a significant association between attendance and prevalence of thinness in their sample of women ( p < .05), and that a larger percentage of non-attendees were treated for obesity, gall bladder disease, heart disease, and arthritis than their frequent attendee counterparts ( p < .05; Kohrs et al., 1980 ). Participants in Schultz et al.’s study reported a correlation between higher total health impact scores and weekly attendance at a meal program, regardless of whether it was their innovative Encore Café program or the regular congregate meals program ( p = .33; Schultz et al., 2021 ). Seventy-four percent of participants in the 2004 ACL survey reported they were able to maintain their weight due to participation in the program, and between 64% and 75% across all the surveys reported the program improved their health ( ACL, 2004 , 2008, 2009, 2011–2019), which is echoed in Beasley et al.’s report of their analysis of the National ACL survey in 2015 ( Beasley et al., 2018 ).

Social support and networks

Eight of the included studies measured outcomes related to social support and networks ( ACL, 2004 , 2008, 2009, 2011–2019; Dichiera et al., 2002 ; Neyman et al., 1996 ; Porter et al., 2016 ; Thomas & Emond, 2017 ; Tsofliou et al., 2020 ; Van Zandt & Fox, 1986 ; Ye et al., 2017 ). Five studies investigated the OAA Title III NSP ( ACL, 2004 , 2008, 2009, 2011–2019; Dichiera et al., 2002 ; Neyman et al., 1996 ; Porter et al., 2016 ; Van Zandt & Fox, 1986 ), and the remaining three explored various other shared meal programs in the United Kingdom ( Thomas & Emond, 2017 ; Tsofliou et al., 2020 ) and Shanghai ( Ye et al., 2017 ). Six of these studies measured social support and network outcomes using quantitative methods, and the remaining two adopted qualitative methods.

Participants across these studies identified making new friendships, renewing old friendships, and socializing with others as either a motivator to attend or an outcome of attending their respective shared meal programs ( ACL, 2004 , 2008, 2009, 2011–2019; Dichiera et al., 2002 ; Neyman et al., 1996 ; Tsofliou et al., 2020 ; Van Zandt & Fox, 1986 ). Participants in Sheppard et al.’s study described the program as a family and a community ( Sheppard et al., 2018 ), and participants in Tsofliou et al.’s study rated socialization at the meal program higher than affordability or other activities offered ( Tsofliou et al., 2020 ). Due to limited transport options, participants in Thomas and Emond’s study reported the shared meal program as one of the few places they could go to eat a meal out of the house ( Thomas & Emond, 2017 ). Additionally, Ye et al.’s Shanghai study reported comradery at the shared meals, with participants enjoying their tablemates’ companionship, disclosing difficulties with them, and receiving support from them ( Ye et al., 2017 ). Porter et al. reported a difference in experiences between their heterosexual and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender participants, with heterosexual participants placing higher value on the access to a social network the meals provided ( p < .01; Porter et al., 2016 ). These authors also reported that those who scored lower on their loneliness scores placed a higher value on the social connection of the shared meal program ( p < .01; Porter et al., 2016 ).

Well-being and quality of life

Seven of the included papers measured well-being and quality of life outcomes using quantitative methods ( ACL, 2004 , 2008, 2009, 2011–2019; Beasley et al., 2018 ; Huffman et al., 2017 ; Schultz et al., 2021 ; Vailas et al., 1998 ; Van Zandt & Fox, 1986 ; Ye et al., 2017 ). Five of these investigated the OAA Title III NSP ( ACL, 2004 , 2008, 2009, 2011–2019; Beasley et al., 2018 ; Huffman et al., 2017 ; Vailas et al., 1998 ; Van Zandt & Fox, 1986 ), one investigated their innovative Encore Café program compared to traditional congregate meal programs and non-attendance ( Schultz et al., 2021 ), and one investigated shared meal programs in Shanghai ( Ye et al., 2017 ).

Van Zandt and Fox reported that 79% of participants felt a sense of well-being from attending the shared meal program in the OAA Title III NSP ( Van Zandt & Fox, 1986 ). Between 59% and 78% of ACL participants reported the program helped them remain living independently, which corresponds to over half of the national sample explored in Beasley’s et al.’s study reporting the shared meal program allowed them to remain living at home, as it likely comes from the same data set ( ACL, 2004 , 2008, 2009, 2011–2019; Beasley et al., 2018 ). This is echoed in Huffman et al.’s study, with 66% of participants reporting the shared meal program helped them maintain their independence, particularly those with food insecurity ( p = .04) and those who reported consuming a minimum of half of their daily calories from the meal ( p = .002), although this was not the case for those reporting very good or excellent health ( p = .006) ( Huffman et al., 2017 ).

The ACL surveys also reported 91% of participants stating the meals were something to look forward to, and that between 76% and 83% of participants felt better due to participation in the program ( ACL, 2004 , 2008, 2009, 2011–2019). Vailas et al. reported correlations between attending the meal program and improved quality of life ( p < .01), quality of health ( p < .05), depression ( p < .05), and functional status ( p < .001) scores, when compared with those who received home-delivered meals ( Vailas et al., 1998 ). Participants in Ye et al.’s study in Shanghai reported relatively high life satisfaction, with companionship of others at their table ( p < .001), disclosure to others at their table ( p < .011), and support from others at their table ( p < .001) all positively associated with participants’ life satisfaction ( Ye et al., 2017 ). While total and social loneliness were not reported to change for participants in either the innovative Encore Café or comparison groups in Schultz et al.’s study, emotional loneliness improved across the 6 months of the program for participants in the innovative Encore Café group ( p = .018), with no change noted for those who did not attend a shared meal program ( Schultz et al., 2021 ).

This review set out to examine the existing literature about the widespread impacts of structured commensal eating events on adults aged 60 years and older within the community. The review deliberately sought evidence from a range of jurisdictions and aimed to capture a wide variety of structured shared meal programs. However, there is an overrepresentation of studies from the United States, and all but one of these studies out of the United States investigated the OAA Title III NSP congregate meal programs. There was also a disproportionate investigation into the impact on dietary intake and meal patterns, and less exploration into other potential benefits of engaging in shared meal programs. Nevertheless, the sample provides important information about the outcomes of several different structured shared eating programs for participants across five different countries.

Older adults are at increased risk of experiencing inadequate nutrition, largely due to reduced dietary intake as a consequence of changes to physiology and circumstance ( Ahmed & Haboubi, 2010 ; Donini et al., 2003 ; Whitelock & Ensaff, 2018 ). Adequate nutrition is critical for maintaining health, muscle mass, and cognition for older individuals ( Drewnowski & Shultz, 2001 ; Keller, 2004 ; Klimova et al., 2020 ; MacIntosh et al., 2000 ; Payette & Shatenstein, 2005 ). Shared meal programs are well placed to improve dietary intake and nutritional outcomes in this population. Fourteen of the 18 studies included in this review measured the impact of their shared meal program on the dietary intake and meal patterns of participants. As anticipated, almost all reported a positive effect. For many participants across these studies, the shared meal did not displace usual eating events, but rather added to overall food intake, thus increasing overall nutrient intake. However, when measured against individuals who did not attend regular shared meal programs, or who attended alternative programs, significant differences between dietary intake and meal patterns were not always observed. Additionally, some improvements were only reported or found to be significant for either males or females. This indicates that while many of these programs contributed to improved meal patterns and nutritional intake for participants, benefits were not universal, and not always clinically significant or meaningful.

Beyond the impacts on dietary intake and meal patterns, there were minimal significant associations found between shared meal programs and physical health measures, including nutritional status. This could be a result of the extra food eaten at the shared meal event not being of sufficient quality to impact on these outcomes. Alternatively, the extra meal provided at the shared meal program may not be substantial enough to impact an individual’s overall physical health or nutritional status. These findings indicate that while some participants may receive benefits to dietary intake and meal patterns from attending shared meal programs, benefits do not necessarily translate to improved physical measures of health or nutrition status. However, that is not to say that the shared meal programs do not positively impact other areas of health.

As previously described, commensal eating occasions have been shown to benefit health and well-being beyond the nutrients provided at the meal ( Dunbar, 2017 ; Jönsson et al., 2021 ; Ochs & Shohet, 2006 ). As loneliness and social isolation are key risk factors for ill-health in older adults, shared meal programs are well situated to provide opportunities for social connection and support. The impact on social supports and networks of shared meal programs was acknowledged by several studies included in the review. Included studies reported participants making new friendships, socializing with others, creating community, disclosing difficulties, and receiving support from their tablemates as benefits from the shared meal programs. In some instances, these programs offered individuals a rare opportunity to leave the house and to eat a meal away from home ( Thomas & Emond, 2017 ). Older adults generally have reduced participation in social activities as a result of illness, mobility issues, low energy levels, difficulties managing symptoms, and difficulties using transport ( Goll et al., 2015 ). This reduced social participation contributes to experiences of social isolation and loneliness in older adults ( Goll et al., 2015 ). Therefore, the opportunity for making and maintaining social connections with others provided at these shared meal programs may play a crucial role in reducing older individuals’ feelings of loneliness and social isolation. This is particularly significant when considering the evidence that the act of sharing a meal with others increases the social connections and bonds that are formed ( Dunbar, 2017 ). As such, the benefit of the shared meal programs may not lie in the nutrition provided, but rather in their ability to combat social isolation and loneliness and their associated comorbidities.

The psychosocial outcomes of attending shared meal programs are also noteworthy. Where it was evaluated, in all instances, the impact of these shared meal programs on well-being and quality of life was positive. Although only measured by seven of the 18 studies, the evidence was consistent across different jurisdictions. Participants consistently reported better quality of life and quality of health, higher functional status, and lower levels of depression and emotional loneliness as a result of attending the shared meal programs. The shared meal programs were in many cases described by participants as improving their sense of well-being, and many perceived that the programs allowed them to remain living independently. The mental health and well-being of individuals are identified as increasingly instrumental to the health of individuals and populations ( Grenade & Boldy, 2008 ; Nicholson, 2012 ). While the data pertaining to the impact on physical health and nutrition status may not have been conclusive, the studies overwhelmingly indicated that shared meals have a positive impact on self-reported quality of life and well-being for many participants and may thereby constitute a promising health promotion intervention.

With aging individuals at increased risk of experiencing deterioration to their physical and mental health, it is important that programs exist in the community that support individuals to age in place ( Bigonnesse & Chaudhury, 2020 ; Chiu et al., 2020 ; Golinowska et al., 2016 ). This review confirms that structured shared meal programs show promise in supporting the health and well-being of older adults in the community. They provide additional nutrition, opportunities for social connection and support, and are perceived to contribute to the quality of life and perceived well-being. However, the mechanism of how they support health and well-being has not yet been identified. More work is required to understand how these shared meal programs work to facilitate health and well-being, and how they can best be used in the community to improve health outcomes for older populations.

Strengths and Limitations

This review is strengthened by the extensive, comprehensive searching that was undertaken to identify studies. Ongoing search alerts ensured that no newly published eligible studies would be missed, and hand-searching of reference lists and gray literature searching ensured relevant studies were captured. Two reviewers checked the abstracts independently and full-text screening was conducted via a collaborative process to minimize selection bias. However, this review is not without its limitations. The majority of the included studies were cross-sectional in design, limiting the ability to perform a meta-analysis, or to understand the causal pathways and relationships between shared meal programs and the reported outcomes. As it is a scoping review, no evaluation of quality of individual studies was undertaken; however, it should be noted that many of these studies did not appear to adhere to reporting guidelines, and overall study quality was difficult to determine in many instances. To be included in this review study populations had to have a majority of participants aged over 60 years, resulting in the exclusion of gray literature reports on shared meal programs that targeted older adults, but also included participants of varying ages. Only studies published in English were included in this review, which may have resulted in the exclusion of relevant studies published in other languages. Finally, as a scoping study, many different study designs were included, and we were unable to draw any combined statistical conclusions about the findings. We were therefore unable to make judgments about the strength of the evidence of the relationship between the shared meal programs investigated and any of the health outcomes measured.

Our review was undertaken to identify the scope of relevant literature in this field, explore the impact of structured commensal eating events on older individuals in the community, and examine the associated health or well-being outcomes. The nutritional and dietary benefits of commensal eating events on older individuals are well represented in the literature; however, other beneficial outcomes were measured to a lesser extent. This review has identified that future research on the social benefits of community commensal eating events is warranted to fully understand how food nurtures not only the body but also supports individuals as they age to maintain community connections, friendships, and enhance life satisfaction. With this understanding, we will be able to improve current programs, and design future programs that will effectively, and sustainably enhance the health and well-being of older adults.

Supplementary Material

Igac068_suppl_supplementary_materials, acknowledgments.

We would like to acknowledge Layla Mohammadi, from Flinders University, for her assistance with the construction and application of the search strategy used for this review. All data in this review are from published studies, and thus readily available online. Data extraction tables are available upon reasonable request to the authors. This scoping review was not pre-registered.

Contributor Information

Georgia Middleton, Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

Karen A Patterson, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

Eimear Muir-Cochrane, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

Stefania Velardo, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

Fidelma McCorry, Centre of Research Excellence in Translating Nutritional Science to Good Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

John Coveney, Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

This work was supported by Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation (2019 Flinders Foundation Health Seed Grant).

Conflict of Interest

None declared.

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Importance of Cleanliness in Community Living

Cleanliness can be described as the state of being free from germs and the process of achieving and maintaining that state. In emphasizing the ongoing set of habits for purposes of prevention and maintenance, cleanliness concept differs from purity, which is a moral, physical or ritual state of being free from pollutants. Purity is a quality of a substance or an individual. Cleanliness implies a system of interactions; it has a social dimension. Cleanliness is related to disease prevention hygiene. One way of achieving cleanliness at practical level is by washing hands with water and some detergent. Cleanliness has played a role in forming cultural values in relation to cultural imperialism, humanitarianism, and social class. Cleanliness means an effort to remove hazardous materials and germs.

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According to the proverb, cleanliness is next to godliness. The importance of cleanliness is also emphasized in the Bible. Many of the Bible cleansing rituals were related to access to a tabernacle; place where the presence of God manifested itself. Rules were given, according to which a person must be clean. If the person was not clean, he/she would be cut off from the community. Cleanliness has a different meaning to different people. For example, when a young child is called by his/her mother to wash his/her hands and face, he/she may think that holding hands under a running tap and wetting his/her lips is enough. However, the mother knows better. Fungus, germs, and any sort of growth can pile up in dirty clothing and bedding; cleanliness prevents the spread of germs and diseases (UN-Water 11).

Perception of Cleanliness

Standards of cleanliness are not equal around the world, and people have different understanding of cleanliness. In the past, a well-ordered and clean school environment in many countries gave the children an opportunity to develop appropriate cleanliness habits. In this era, some school grounds are full of debris and litter and they look like garbage more than an environment to read or exercise. Adults, on the other hand, are not good examples of cleanliness in the business world or in life. For instance, many public places are unsightly and messy. Industries and factories pollute the environment. Pollution is not caused by businesses or faceless industries, but by people. As greed is the main cause of worldwide problem of pollution and its ill effects, part of the problem is a result of personal unclean habits. Being neat and clean is important. Cleanliness should begin with the personal hygiene; it is vital for people to learn about hygiene and the diseases linked to lack of it. Certain habits like regular brushing of teeth, washing hands after visiting the toilet, and bathing are necessary to be taught from a tender age. These are personal habits. It is essential to follow certain rules like refraining from spitting on the road or in the house, avoiding littering places, and keeping our surrounding clean. Habits or behaviors picked at a tender age, whether bad or good, get into one’s personality (Jehovah's Witnesses pr. 4).

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Cleanliness and Sanitation in the Cmmunity

Cleanliness and sanitation in the home and community and personal cleanliness are crucial to ending the spread of germs and preventing illnesses. Illnesses can be caused by eating contaminated foods, touching an infected person; they can be passed on through clothes or bed covers, insect or animal bites. When the people in community strive to improve sanitation, many health problems are solved, and this benefits everyone in the community. For example, joining hands together to develop water for cleaning and cooking will enable the community people to easily access clean water. The people in the community should also keep the drinking water clean by not bathing, washing clothes or utensils in it or letting the animals into the water source. Draining stagnant water in open containers, washing areas and in puddles will ensure prevention of breeding mosquitoes. Mosquitoes that breed in stagnating waters cause malaria fever.

The community can reduce flies by making sure that garbage is disposed of in a proper way. The garbage should be fenced off or covered to keep animals and bugs away if it is above the ground. If possible, plastic garbage should not be burned since the fumes can be poisonous to sick, young, and older people. Other wastes can be reduced, reused, and recycled. Several wastes can be recycled including plastics, magazines, and newspapers. Cleanliness, if to put it in better terms, can give a difference between life and death. A dirty environment affects the health of the people living in it. If people would like to stay healthy, then they should keep their environment clean. An individual should also ensure cleanliness in all sections of the home, including the toilet, especially the flushing toilet, bathroom, kitchen, and sitting room (Vigarello 61).

In conclusion, if technical health solutions are promoted, diseases caused by germs or poor sanitation can be prevented. Health promoters in the community should listen keenly and work with the people in order to improve health in a lasting way. The community will enjoy better health if they employ better methods of sanitation that fit their abilities and needs. Every individual should begin cleanliness from his or her own body before focusing on the cleanliness of his or her home, and finally the cleanliness of the community, in which the individual lives. Cleaning your home is not just disinfecting constantly, it also means being aware of the areas that are likely to spread infection and removing the germs before they cause danger.  Experts are now concerned about the home hygiene in an effort to maintain the immune system of children that is not exposed to everyday viruses and bacteria. A healthy environment leads to a better and healthier life. 

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