🏠 Community Participation & Integration *coming soon
- 1. 1.1 – What Is Community and Why Does It Matter? 00:00:00
- 2. 1.2 – The Benefits of Being Part of a Community 00:00:00
- 3. 1.3 – Exploring Personal Identity Within the Community 00:00:00
- 4. 1.4 – How Belonging Impacts Mental and Emotional Health 00:00:00
- 5. 1.5 – Recognizing the Role of Community Support 00:00:00
- 6. 1.6 – Understanding Mutual Respect in Diverse Communities 00:00:00
- 7. 1.7 – The Difference Between Isolation and Connection 00:00:00
- 8. 1.8 – Why Consistent Participation Builds Stronger Bonds 00:00:00
- 9. 1.9 – Defining Community Roles and Responsibilities 00:00:00
- 10. 1.10 – Identifying Healthy vs. Unhealthy Community Influence 00:00:00
- 11. 1.11 – Exploring Past Experiences With Community 00:00:00
- 12. 1.12 – How Community Involvement Builds Resilience 00:00:00
- 13. 1.13 – Learning From Others Through Shared Experiences 00:00:00
- 14. 1.14 – Visualizing Your Role in the Community 00:00:00
- 15. 1.15 – Creating a Motivation Statement for Engagement 00:00:00
- 1. 2.1 – Mapping Local Services That Support Daily Life 00:00:00
- 2. 2.2 – Using Public Directories and Online Tools 00:00:00
- 3. 2.3 – Learning How to Make Calls and Inquiries for Support 00:00:00
- 4. 2.4 – Visiting Resource Centers and Public Offices 00:00:00
- 5. 2.5 – Finding Transportation Services in Your Area 00:00:00
- 6. 2.6 – Understanding Eligibility for Local Assistance 00:00:00
- 7. 2.7 – Identifying Health and Mental Health Services Nearby 00:00:00
- 8. 2.8 – Discovering Food Pantries, Housing, and Job Help 00:00:00
- 9. 2.9 – Navigating Library, Recreation, and Education Services 00:00:00
- 10. 2.10 – Interviewing a Local Resource Provider 00:00:00
- 11. 2.11 – Creating a Personal Resource List 00:00:00
- 12. 2.12 – How to Keep Your Resource Info Up to Date 00:00:00
- 13. 2.13 – Matching Community Resources to Your Goals 00:00:00
- 14. 2.14 – Practicing Asking for Help With Confidence 00:00:00
- 15. 2.15 – Making Your First Contact With a Local Resource 00:00:00
- 1. 3.1 – Introducing Yourself in Community Settings 00:00:00
- 2. 3.2 – Practicing Friendly Body Language and Eye Contact 00:00:00
- 3. 3.3 – How to Join a Conversation Respectfully 00:00:00
- 4. 3.4 – Reading Social Cues and Nonverbal Signals 00:00:00
- 5. 3.5 – Using Respectful and Inclusive Language 00:00:00
- 6. 3.6 – Handling Awkward Moments With Confidence 00:00:00
- 7. 3.7 – Setting Healthy Boundaries in Public Interactions 00:00:00
- 8. 3.8 – Responding to Criticism or Conflict Calmly 00:00:00
- 9. 3.9 – Practicing Gratitude and Kindness Publicly 00:00:00
- 10. 3.10 – Offering Help to Others in the Community 00:00:00
- 11. 3.11 – Knowing When and How to Say No Politely 00:00:00
- 12. 3.12 – Respecting Cultural and Personal Differences 00:00:00
- 13. 3.13 – Role-Playing Community-Based Scenarios 00:00:00
- 14. 3.14 – Improving Listening and Responding Skills 00:00:00
- 15. 3.15 – Reflecting on Positive Social Experiences 00:00:00
- 1. 4.1 – What Does It Mean to Volunteer? 00:00:00
- 2. 4.2 – Identifying Volunteer Needs in the Community 00:00:00
- 3. 4.3 – How Volunteering Benefits Mental Health 00:00:00
- 4. 4.4 – Finding Volunteer Opportunities That Match Your Skills 00:00:00
- 5. 4.5 – Contacting and Applying to Volunteer Roles 00:00:00
- 6. 4.6 – Preparing for Your First Day as a Volunteer 00:00:00
- 7. 4.7 – Volunteer Etiquette and Expectations 00:00:00
- 8. 4.8 – Working With Diverse Groups as a Volunteer 00:00:00
- 9. 4.9 – Dealing With Nerves or Anxiety Before Volunteering 00:00:00
- 10. 4.10 – Journaling Volunteer Reflections for Growth 00:00:00
- 11. 4.11 – Learning From Mistakes While Volunteering 00:00:00
- 12. 4.12 – How Volunteering Can Lead to Job Opportunities 00:00:00
- 13. 4.13 – Advocating for Causes You Care About 00:00:00
- 14. 4.14 – Building Relationships Through Giving 00:00:00
- 15. 4.15 – Committing to a Volunteer Goal for the Month 00:00:00
- 1. 5.1 – Understanding Social Norms in Public Places 00:00:00
- 2. 5.2 – Planning a Visit to a Public Space 00:00:00
- 3. 5.3 – Practicing Safe and Respectful Behavior 00:00:00
- 4. 5.4 – Staying Aware of Your Surroundings 00:00:00
- 5. 5.5 – Reading Signs, Maps, and Public Schedules 00:00:00
- 6. 5.6 – Asking for Help From a Public Employee 00:00:00
- 7. 5.7 – Problem-Solving When Lost or Confused 00:00:00
- 8. 5.8 – Responding to Emergencies in Public Spaces 00:00:00
- 9. 5.9 – How to Manage Public Transportation 00:00:00
- 10. 5.10 – Advocating for Accessibility if Needed 00:00:00
- 11. 5.11 – Traveling in Groups vs. Alone 00:00:00
- 12. 5.12 – Balancing Comfort With Confidence 00:00:00
- 13. 5.13 – Keeping Belongings and Information Secure 00:00:00
- 14. 5.14 – Managing Sensory Overload in Busy Areas 00:00:00
- 15. 5.15 – Creating a Weekly Plan to Visit Public Spaces 00:00:00
- 1. 6.1 – Understanding the Value of Shared Interests 00:00:00
- 2. 6.2 – Researching Local Groups That Match Your Values 00:00:00
- 3. 6.3 – How to Attend Your First Group Meeting 00:00:00
- 4. 6.4 – Group Etiquette: Listening, Speaking, and Sharing 00:00:00
- 5. 6.5 – Dealing With Group Anxiety or Fear of Judgment 00:00:00
- 6. 6.6 – Building Relationships With Consistency 00:00:00
- 7. 6.7 – Exploring Faith-Based Community Support 00:00:00
- 8. 6.8 – Respecting Spiritual and Cultural Diversity 00:00:00
- 9. 6.9 – Leadership Opportunities Within a Group 00:00:00
- 10. 6.10 – Sharing Your Voice in a Group Setting 00:00:00
- 11. 6.11 – What to Do If a Group Isn’t the Right Fit 00:00:00
- 12. 6.12 – Practicing Inclusivity and Welcoming Others 00:00:00
- 13. 6.13 – Understanding Roles Within a Community Group 00:00:00
- 14. 6.14 – Committing to Group Goals and Events 00:00:00
- 15. 6.15 – Creating a Personal Group Participation Plan 00:00:00
- 1. 7.1 – What Is Civic Engagement and Why It Matters 00:00:00
- 2. 7.2 – Understanding Local Government Structure 00:00:00
- 3. 7.3 – Learning About Your Rights as a Community Member 00:00:00
- 4. 7.4 – Identifying Local Issues You Care About 00:00:00
- 5. 7.5 – How to Write a Letter to a Representative 00:00:00
- 6. 7.6 – Attending a Local Meeting or Forum 00:00:00
- 7. 7.7 – Participating in Peaceful Public Demonstrations 00:00:00
- 8. 7.8 – Helping Friends and Family Get Involved 00:00:00
- 9. 7.9 – Promoting Voter Education and Registration 00:00:00
- 10. 7.10 – Exploring Youth and Family Advocacy Roles 00:00:00
- 11. 7.11 – Standing Up for Marginalized Communities 00:00:00
- 12. 7.12 – Sharing Your Story to Inspire Change 00:00:00
- 13. 7.13 – Using Social Media for Positive Action 00:00:00
- 14. 7.14 – Balancing Advocacy With Self-Care 00:00:00
- 15. 7.15 – Creating an Advocacy Plan With 3 Small Goals 00:00:00
- 1. 8.1 – Defining Inclusion and What It Looks Like 00:00:00
- 2. 8.2 – Identifying Common Barriers in Your Community 00:00:00
- 3. 8.3 – Sharing Personal Experiences of Exclusion 00:00:00
- 4. 8.4 – Understanding Stigma and Bias 00:00:00
- 5. 8.5 – Communicating Your Needs Respectfully 00:00:00
- 6. 8.6 – Asking for Reasonable Accommodations 00:00:00
- 7. 8.7 – Learning the Language of Disability Rights 00:00:00
- 8. 8.8 – Advocating for Inclusive Events and Services 00:00:00
- 9. 8.9 – Supporting Others Facing Similar Barriers 00:00:00
- 10. 8.10 – Exploring Universal Design and Equal Access 00:00:00
- 11. 8.11 – Creating Accessible Materials or Flyers 00:00:00
- 12. 8.12 – Educating Others on Inclusion Respectfully 00:00:00
- 13. 8.13 – Reporting Inaccessibility When Necessary 00:00:00
- 14. 8.14 – Building a Vision for a More Inclusive Community 00:00:00
- 15. 8.15 – Taking Action Against a Specific Barrier 00:00:00
- 1. 9.1 – What Does It Mean to Be Independent? 00:00:00
- 2. 9.2 – Understanding Healthy Interdependence 00:00:00
- 3. 9.3 – When to Ask for Help vs. When to Do It Yourself 00:00:00
- 4. 9.4 – Managing Personal Responsibilities in Shared Spaces 00:00:00
- 5. 9.5 – Planning and Sticking to a Personal Schedule 00:00:00
- 6. 9.6 – Using Community Supports Without Overreliance 00:00:00
- 7. 9.7 – Negotiating Roles and Responsibilities at Home 00:00:00
- 8. 9.8 – Respecting the Needs of Others While Meeting Your Own 00:00:00
- 9. 9.9 – Building Mutual Trust in Shared Living or Work 00:00:00
- 10. 9.10 – Learning From Dependence Without Shame 00:00:00
- 11. 9.11 – Establishing Personal Space and Boundaries 00:00:00
- 12. 9.12 – Reflecting on Personal Growth Toward Independence 00:00:00
- 13. 9.13 – Recognizing Strengths in Both Giving and Receiving Help 00:00:00
- 14. 9.14 – Planning Weekly Tasks That Promote Both Roles 00:00:00
- 15. 9.15 – Creating an Independence–Interdependence Balance Chart 00:00:00
- 1. 10.1 – What Does Full Community Integration Look Like? 00:00:00
- 2. 10.2 – Assessing Your Current Level of Participation 00:00:00
- 3. 10.3 – Identifying Strengths That Support Belonging 00:00:00
- 4. 10.4 – Naming Goals for Short-Term Involvement 00:00:00
- 5. 10.5 – Visualizing Long-Term Growth in Community Life 00:00:00
- 6. 10.6 – Prioritizing Your Top Community Goals 00:00:00
- 7. 10.7 – Identifying Areas That Still Need Support 00:00:00
- 8. 10.8 – Setting Weekly, Monthly, and Yearly Milestones 00:00:00
- 9. 10.9 – Celebrating Small Wins in Community Engagement 00:00:00
- 10. 10.10 – Reviewing and Adjusting Your Plan Over Time 00:00:00
- 11. 10.11 – Getting Feedback From Trusted People 00:00:00
- 12. 10.12 – Maintaining Motivation Through Setbacks 00:00:00
- 13. 10.13 – Creating a Visual Community Integration Map 00:00:00
- 14. 10.14 – Documenting Your Personal Integration Story 00:00:00
- 15. 10.15 – Making a Commitment to Community for Life 00:00:00
Course overview
Lesson Overview
2.15 – Making Your First Contact With a Local Resource: Reaching out for the first time is a big step toward independence. You can start by calling, emailing, or visiting a resource center with the information you already prepared. Introducing yourself and explaining what you need shows responsibility and courage. Staff members are there to help, so they will guide you through the next steps. Writing down important details keeps you from forgetting anything later. If the first attempt feels awkward, remember that new experiences always get easier with practice. Taking action opens the door to support you may not have known was possible. Each new contact builds confidence and knowledge about available services. The more you interact, the more comfortable you become in connecting with your community. Your first step can lead to many helpful relationships that support your goals.
About this course
Skills and strategies to engage with the community, build connections, and access resources for a stronger sense of belonging.
This course includes:
- Community engagement planning templates
- Resource directories for local programs and opportunities
- Activities and scenarios for practicing social integration skills