Bravely Connected

Starting Small to Spark Something Big

This blog post came from a conversation I had with Andrew Shultz on News 770. He was reflecting not just on what it means to be Canadian, but on what it means to belong—to truly be part of a community. While many look at nation-building on a grand scale, my own journey has brought me back to the micro level. What if the true strength of a country like Canada lies in its streets, its cul-de-sacs, its neighbours?

The Power of the Local

That shift in thinking—from macro to micro—has changed everything for me. As someone whose work revolves around belonging and resilience, I used to focus on how to scale this across large systems. But over the last year and a half, I’ve discovered the power of going small and deep. I’ve rooted myself in my own community of Ogden, a Calgary neighbourhood rich in heart, where real transformation is happening not through massive programs but through backyard concerts, clothing drives, and face-to-face conversations.

One recent evening, a neighbour set up a stage in their yard and brought in local bands for a full-blown community concert. The park across the street filled with people, many of us strangers, dancing together. I arrived knowing no one and left having made friends. That’s what happens when people show up.

Community in Action

Whether it’s celebrating milestones or supporting each other through challenges, community is a living, breathing force. And it doesn’t take a title or a big budget to lead—just a willingness to care.

People in our neighbourhood are stepping up in extraordinary ways:

• Dorothy runs a clothing drive twice a year, giving away hundreds of items to those who need them—no questions asked.
• Mavelina recently organized a glam day for high school graduates who couldn’t afford hair, makeup, and nails. She gathered stylists, booked a limo, and even arranged for a biker gang to escort them to their ceremony. The grads felt seen, honoured, and celebrated.
• Sandy does weekly Art Classes
• A group started our first annual soapbox derby
• Marci does weekly Pilates classes
• Chris and Elaine do weekly Muay Thai classes for youth
• and more!!

These are just a few examples of everyday people making an extraordinary difference simply because they care. One person’s courage to start something sparks a chain reaction.

From Online to In-Person: A Brave Leap

Social media plays a big role in our community connection—especially through our active community Facebook group. But while online interaction is a great starting point, there’s a hunger for more. Real, in-person connection is where the magic happens.

That said, the leap from online to in-person can feel intimidating. People are nervous. There’s social anxiety. But every time someone takes that brave first step—whether it’s showing up at a concert or a community potluck—they discover just how worth it it is. We’re not just building community. We’re building belonging.

Rebuilding the Family Within the Community

While strong neighbourhoods matter, so do strong families. In a recent youth conversation in our community with Planet Youth, some of the young people shared that they weren’t feeling very connected to their families. It reminded me that building community also means strengthening the relationships within our own homes. COVID, for all its challenges, reminded us how much we need one another—family and community alike.

When families feel bravely connected, and when neighbourhoods feel like home, resilience takes root. Belonging becomes not just an idea, but a lived reality.

The Invitation to Us All

The beauty of all this? Anyone can do it. You don’t need a title. You don’t need a five-year plan. Just start with what you have, where you are.

Say hello to your neighbour. Offer a helping hand. Host something simple. Show up.

It’s not about fixing a country. It’s about showing up on your block. And if we all do that—from corner to corner, coast to coast—Canada becomes not just a place we live, but a place we belong.

Happy Canada Day.

Listen to the news clip with Andrew Shultz on News 770 by clicking here