Document Type
Research Report
Publication Date
9-2020
Keywords
COVID-19 pandemic, systemic racism, social isolation, social connections
Disciplines
Demography, Population, and Ecology | Gerontology | Public Health | Social Welfare
Abstract
Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we prioritize connection for ourselves and the people around us. The global COVID-19 pandemic and the national reckoning with systemic racism has made people more aware and appreciative of their relationships and has made some painfully aware of how distant and disconnected they are. While the evidence is clear that social isolation is bad for health and well-being, the evidence base of solutions is far less so. Thus, this report sought to harness the energy, creativity, and progressive thinking of cities and towns in Massachusetts by documenting their efforts to keep people connected well before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold and the efforts they will sustain in the aftermath.
This document is a resource of ideas about actions, big and small, that can be taken to strengthen social connections in your community. It is intended to kick-start conversation, and the ideas embedded here are meant to be adapted for your local culture. It is our hope that by equipping communities with ideas of where to start, we can begin to build strong empirical evidence for solutions that have been implemented and evaluated. So consider these ideas, generate your own, and continue to think about the work you do as a neighbor, volunteer, leader, advocate, and professional in promoting social connection for those you serve.
Community Engaged/Serving
Part of the UMass Boston Community-Engaged Teaching, Research, and Service Series. //scholarworks.umb.edu/engage
Recommended Citation
Coyle, Caitlin; Gleason, Shayna; and Bui, Cindy, "It's the Little Things: A Community Resource for Strengthening Social Connections" (2020). Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications. 47.
https://scholarworks.umb.edu/demographyofaging/47
Included in
Demography, Population, and Ecology Commons, Gerontology Commons, Public Health Commons, Social Welfare Commons