This blog post is part of a series titled Perspectives on Building Belonging. Recognizing the diversity of viewpoints on belonging and the need to co-create a pan-Canadian Strategy for Belonging that leaves no one behind, we are inviting local leaders across Turtle Island to share their thoughts on what belonging means to them and provide a high-level overview on how their work contributes to building belonging.
We are grateful to Joshua, Rainbow, Micha, Gen, and everyone at Reset for their contributions.
What does belonging mean to you?
Belonging is the embodied feeling of being accepted and welcomed for who we are. Not only to be welcomed without shame, but to be celebrated in the wholeness of our humanity – including the multiple intersecting and overlapping identities, experiences, and beliefs. To belong is to be brought into the conversation, the meal, the game, the hug. To actively participate, in ways that are accessible (physically, financially, emotionally, spiritually) in a particular endeavor - whether it be a cooking class, an election or an activist collective.
Belonging can also be playfully created through group games and curated conversational prompts, often when the focus isn’t on us primarily but on a third experience ie: Board games – people have an opportunity to be silly, laugh or vulnerably connect. This is where organically the magic happens, people having shared experiences together; these are some bonding elements that craft community.
Belonging is deeply intertwined with love. To feel belonging one requires to be seen and understood and to build spaces for belonging is an act of love requiring patience, kindness and curiosity to see and understand those we share space, community and resources with. It moves at the pace of relations, and with intention and action towards justice, safety, inclusion and care we can build a solid home in which belonging can flourish.
How are you building belonging in your community?
Reset is a third space that offers opportunities to increase individual and collective social health as a solution for disconnection and loneliness. As acknowledged uninvited guests in Little Jamaica, we have worked in collaboration to better understand the needs of our community. Our events are free for folks to participate in and encourage inclusion, togetherness, communication, and trust, including One-Big Hug, A Love Letter to Little Jamaica, and Human Libraries.
As a community, we are committed to learning (and unlearning) through reading, observing how people move in spaces, debriefing with others, attending training sessions, and by being part of Tamarack's Circle of Actions Cohort on Belonging.
How can people learn more about and support you and the work you're doing?
The best way to learn more about Reset and the work we do is to visit us at our Community Living Room at 634 Vaughan Rd, Tuesday – Friday from 10am to 6pm. You can also visit our website at thisisreset.org to read our story and learn about our weekly programming or Camp Reset - an adult summer camp for your social health.
Dive Deeper
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Learn more about Communities Building Belonging and join the movement.
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Find out more about Reset and support their work.
- Register to attend this webinar on the power of place in cultivating a Strategy for Belonging.
- Read this story on 13 champions who are building plans and interventions for belonging through Tamarack’s inaugural Circle of Actions.
- Consultez cet article sur le travail remarquable de Reset pour bâtir l'appartenance à Little Jamaica (disponible en français seulement).
Do you have any questions or comments? Would you like to learn more about Communities Building Belonging or get involved? Let’s connect!
Contact Jorge at jorge@tamarackcommunity.ca or book a meeting with him.
We are building a movement to co-create Canada's first Strategy for Belonging. To magnify the impact of this work, the strategy needs to reflect the diversity of our communities. We hope you can join us by signing this pledge and participating in conversations on what needs to be at the centre of this pan-Canadian strategy. Together, let’s pave the way for more connected and just futures.
