Last week, I stood in the ashes of what used to be homes in Denare Beach, Saskatchewan. Half the town had burned down. Families returned after evacuation to see they had nothing left — no walls, no photos, no heirlooms. Just blackened remains where their lives once unfolded.
Our work there was simple and sacred: sift through the ashes to find any remnants of belongings that might bring closure. Stand with the homeowners in their grief. Surround them with presence, not answers.
It was here, with soot on my hands and smoke still lingering in the air, that I was reminded of some powerful truths about what it means to build community from the ground up.
1. Community building starts at ground zero — not in theory.
We must get out of our homes, offices, and cubicles to surround people where they are. Community building happens on the ground, not in boardrooms. It’s not a plan on paper — it’s a pair of boots in the dirt.
Nonprofits, leaders, and helpers (myself included) sometimes forget this. We can get caught up in the frameworks and the “best practices,” but when disaster strikes, none of that matters if we’re not physically there. This week, I needed that reminder myself.
2. Community is not a project — it’s people.
Standing beside someone who has lost everything is humbling in a way you can’t prepare for. There is no manual that tells you how to offer comfort in that moment. There’s no “right” thing to say.
There’s only presence.
No words can take away the pain, but showing up — really showing up — says, You’re not alone in this. That is the real work of community.
3. Home is not just a place — it’s a feeling.
I can’t imagine losing my house, along with every memory, every keepsake, every reminder of my life. For the people of Denare Beach, the loss wasn’t just of structures — it was of the places that held their stories.
But home is also something deeper. It’s connection. It’s knowing that when your world falls apart, there are people ready to help you rebuild — not just your house, but your hope.
Rebuilding a community means more than replacing bricks and mortar. It means creating spaces — physical and relational — where people know they belong, where they are held through the hard times, and where they are reminded that hope is still possible.
Why we must build connected neighbourhoods before disaster strikes
In today’s culture, it seems almost brave to reach past our fences and get to know the people who live around us. But this bravery is exactly what’s needed. When we are connected before crisis comes, no one has to go through the fire alone — whether that fire is literal or metaphorical.
Belonging creates resilience.
I’ve seen it. I’ve studied it for over 25 years.
People can endure the hardest of circumstances when they know they are surrounded.
A Call to Action: Be the Neighbour Who Shows Up
You don’t need to wait for a wildfire to start building community.
- Knock on a neighbour’s door and introduce yourself.
- Host a simple backyard gathering or potluck.
- Offer to help someone with a project or errand.
- Show up at community events — even small ones.
- Ask people how they’re really doing, and listen without rushing to fix.
Start now. Build the connections before the crisis. Be the reason someone knows they are not alone.
Because in the ashes of loss, presence is the first brick of hope.
Want to see the visual? Watch the recap of our time in Denare Beach by clicking here.
Thank you to Samaritan’s Purse for this incredible experience. To find out more about Samaritan’s Purse, click here.
Bravely Connected 
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