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The global pandemic that began in late 2019 and spread into 2021 had a devastating impact on the world. The human toll was significant, as millions of people across the globe lost their lives to the COVID-19 virus. The virus also had far-reaching economic consequenc- es, many of which were felt in small towns and communities that had been thriving prior to the pandemic. Vaccination rollouts that began in the final weeks of 2020 gave many people a glimmer of hope that life would soon return to some semblance of normalcy. The effort to restore towns and cities will require a community-wide effort, and families can do their part as the world slowly emerges from the pan- demic. · Support local busi- nesses. A recent survey from the expert business mentors at Score® found that just 34 percent of small business owners indicated their operations were currently profitable in late 2020. The num- bers were even worse for minority-owned business- es, as the survey found that just 26.5 percent of Black business owners had businesses that were currently profitable while the number was 29.2 percent among Hispan- ic-owned businesses. A thriving local economy is a vital component of a strong community, and families can do their part in the pandemic recovery by making a concerted effort to support the small businesses in their towns and cities, especially those owned by minorities. Support locally owned restaurants instead of chain restaurants when dining out or ordering in. Even visiting a locally owned barbershop instead of a chain hair cutter can be a great way to help community-based busi- nesses recover. · Lend a hand to the el- derly. At the onset of the pandemic, public health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization identified elderly men and women as among the most vulnerable to serious illness if they were infect- ed with COVID-19. As a result, many aging men and women spent much of 2020 isolated from their friends and families. Families can help seniors How to help communities rebound after the pandemic By Metro Create in their communities re- cover from that isolation by volunteering at local senior centers, inviting aging neighbors over for weekly dinners or invit- ing them along on family outings to the beach or park. Such efforts can reassure seniors, many of whom played vital roles in building the communi- ties they call home, that their neighbors have not forgotten them. · Take active roles in the community. Recov- ering from the pandemic won't be easy for any community. Some small businesses closed for good while others struggled to stay afloat, and local towns and cities lost sig- nificant tax revenue as a result. Residents, includ- ing adults and children, can help their towns and cities overcome budget shortfalls by becoming more active in their com- munities. Organize initia- tives like park clean-ups to keep communities clean if budget constraints have forced local officials to cut back on such services. In addition, attend town or city council meetings to lend support to programs or even recommend new initiatives to help the com- munity recover from the pandemic. Restoring communities after the pandemic will be a tall task. But it's one that will be more easily accomplished if families pitch in and do their part. FP215907 Strong communities are built by strong people who recognize the importance of giving back. Children recognize when their parents give back to their communities, and often that recognition compels youngsters to want to do the same. Volunteering as a family is a great way for parents to instill their values in their youngsters while strengthening the com- munities in which those children live. Volunteering also provides a host of additional, potentially surprising benefits. For example, a 2003 study from researchers at the University of Texas found that taking part in helping one's community low- ers rates of depression and anxiety. In addition, research has indicated that adolescents who volunteer may perform better at school and take a more positive approach to education. Family-friendly vol- unteering opportunities abound, and the follow- ing are some ways that families can give back together. · Feed the hungry: The role of charitable orga- nizations that feed those in need was highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The economic fallout of the pandemic was significant, as tens of millions of people lost their jobs and, subse- quently, their ability to feed themselves and their families. Local food banks stepped in to feed those families, and organiza- tions are always in need of volunteers to help prepare, deliver and serve food. Volunteering at a local food bank or soup kitchen is a great way for parents to show their children that they have a lot to be thankful for while instill- ing in them a sense of responsibility to commu- nity members in need. · Create art: Art can be as beneficial to its creators as it is for those who appreciate it. That's especially so for chil- dren in relation to their development. According to a report from Amer- icans for the Arts, art education strengthens problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Art also encourages kids to innovate, a benefit that will pay dividends throughout their lives. Art also is fun to create, and parents can turn kids' natural inclination Giving Back to the community together By Metro Create toward fun and creativity into a way to give back to their communities. The New Jersey-based organization Color A Smile distributes cheer- ful drawings to senior citizens and overseas troops, among others. Adults and children can volunteer to bring smiles to the faces of strangers, all the while reaping the many benefits of engag- ing in art projects. · Nature clean-up: Local park and beach clean-ups help to keep the great outdoors pris- tine and pollution-free. Such clean-ups, which are a fun way to get outdoors, also provide a great opportunity for parents to teach children about the environment and the importance of protecting it. Whether it's helping those in need, exploring one's inner artist or help- ing keep local parks and beaches clean, the op- portunities for families to give back together are numerous. FP215904 Volunteering is a great way for individuals to strengthen their communities, but it also can be a unique way for individuals to improve their own overall happiness. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies examined 70,000 participants, each of whom received surveys that asked questions regarding their volunteering hab- its and mental health.The study found that, when compared to those who did not volunteer, people who had volunteered in the previous 12 months were more satisfied with their lives and gave their overall health higher ratings. The frequency of giving back to one's community also may affect just how much volunteering affects mental health. Study participants who volunteered at least once per month rated their mental health even higher than those who volunteered but did so infrequent- ly. FP215905 Did you know? By Metro Create

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