Together

When I look back over the last month at LifeSchoolHouse I’ve seen programming in three provinces, urban and rural workshops, and classes that covered everything from birch tree tapping and root cellar building to Chinese Dumpling making, felting, greeting cards and crochet. After all that, guess what we have learned... the workshop topic is not nearly as important as we thought! 

When speaking with attendees of LifeSchoolHouse gatherings we’ve heard that class topics tend to draw people in but the greatest takeaway is simply being together, however we can in the moment, to reconnect and feel like we are a part of a community. Would it surprise you to know that in a recent study from MIT and University of Toronto, regions with higher than average ‘social capital’ (ie: relationships that bind us together as a community, based on trust, connection, and care), are showing direct links to lower infection rates and fewer deaths from COVID?

“... the more that people in a community can be kind and loving of one another, the more they’ll be able to mitigate the transmission of the virus without extra resources [or in spite of crowding].” 

According to this study, it was ultimately “collective efficacy” (or the likelihood that people would lean in, help out, reach out) that was linked with healthiest communities during the pandemic. If that’s the case, then our community of ‘helpful’ hosts, volunteer facilitators and brave participants are leading the charge for #buildingbackbetter 

When we gather to learn to make moccasins or construct a community pantry/free library, we are trusting each other, sharing stories and learning about each other - building bridges and friendships too. It might seem relatively insignificant in terms of larger work we are called into in this world, but I’m starting to see evidence that connection and caretaking is actually one of the most effective ways to build stronger and physically, socially, AND emotionally healthier communities. Looking back over all we have done this month, I’m so proud of the LifeSchoolHouse hosts and the work that we are able to do every day in our communities. Many thanks for your ongoing trust and support.

Written by Jennifer DeCoste

LifeSchoolHouse community members participate in a COVID friendly backyard swap- Fall 2020