Staying Sane Through Community Involvement

No matter how you felt about the recent election results, there is no question that our country as a whole and our local communities need some deep healing. We can all admit that it is easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless in the face of political forces, but let's not forget that change starts at home. Getting involved in local causes we feel passionate about, or volunteering our time to organizations and movements that work for positive change can help us regain a feeling of personal empowerment while we give back to the greater good. Personally, I volunteer as a Guardian ad Litem for Hennepin County. Guardian ad Litems (GALs) advocate for children in the foster care system's best interests, thereby giving a voice to the voiceless in juvenile court proceedings. Due to Hennepin County's recent spike in screened-in child abuse and neglect cases, there is more need than ever for volunteer GALs. Need more ideas for how to get engaged in your community? Check out VolunteerMatch.org, and read this blog post for an equal dose of hope and reality.