Promoting Healing-Centered Ecosystems Through our Commitment to COMMUNITY (Part 4)
In the first part of the Healing-Centered Ecosystems framework, I wrote about the Commitment to Care. For this 2nd part, we turned our focus on our Commitment to Connection. In the 3rd part, we explored how Commitment to Contributioncan promote healing.
This last part is all about healing through Community.
We are only as strong as our weakest members. The fate of us all lies in all our hands. — Lucy H. Pearce
Harm happens not in isolation. It is often done within relationships and in communities. Thus, healing cannot be left alone to the individual level. If harm in community is to be repaired, we need to focus on how to also heal through community.
Communities contribute to social, political, cultural, and economic development. It strengthens capacity for individuals, families, organizations and initiatives. Communities also empower individuals to exercise their rights and responsibilities. Yet what we also need to acknowledge is that communities are powerful catalysts for healing. Not only are communities levers for change, they also have profound influence on the wellbeing, mental health and quality of life. The quality of social support we experience has a great effect on our health, including our longevity.
