Community Belonging

A common trait that lies within human nature, is the idea of belonging. It is a basic human pursuit to have a feeling of purpose. This concept translates clearly through contributing to society. No matter how small, the impact of helping another person or idea in favor of a greater good has been a basic human instinct throughout history, and increases the feeling of belonging. For example, without the ambition of sacrificial people who contribute their time and safety towards inevitably bettering the lives of people other than themselves, where would we be today? I completely agree with Jonas Salk’s conclusion about how the role of volunteering and community service is not important, but necessary because it is essential in bettering both parties

through positive acts, no matter what they are. In Jonas Salk’s quote, the medical researcher makes an important, and validated statement about the importance of community service; it gives everybody the opportunities they deserve and help people find their purpose and reach a greater point in life.
Mainly, the importance of service to others can be proved through the philosophical concept of belonging in society.

Through community service, both parties can be incredibly affected and further their feeling of belonging. Many poets and philosophers have touched upon this concept, including Henry David Thoreau or Ralph Waldo Emerson. As humans, we all wish to ‘make a mark’ somehow, whether it is through a scientific discovery, or an artistic achievement. To me and many others I have observed, finding a purpose in life is one of the most important explorations people will undergo throughout their lives. If analyzing any influential person such as Albert Einstein or Van Gogh, they seemed to have a clear purpose in their lives, and the reason these people are praised is for their accomplishments in inspiring and changing the way millions of people think, and live for centuries. It is a fact that not all eight billion people on this Earth will be able to make an impact that great, but it is also a fact that every single individual can inspire and change others for the better. This is where the role of community service can take shape as Jonas Salk observes. He sees “Every human being as having a purpose, a destiny” (Salk). These small helpful maneuvers, whether through a good deed or something greater, cause a ripple effect and give both the parties a fulfilling sense of purpose and belonging. When volunteering in a senior center, I experienced this exact, by helping others

set up tables or simply talk. This positivity created through volunteering spread throughout, and the people seemed to become much more enthusiastic about their days. It is not only an important moment helping others have a better day, but it was just as fulfilling to myself knowing that I have had an impact on another person. This epitomizes Salk’s idea, showing how by giving other people just as much opportunity as ourselves, we can also progress our own selves. This connects to a reason which makes community service a legitimate health benefit to the individual.
Of course helping others is great for the recipients, but there are studies that show mental and physical health implications which may be just as impactful for the person. There have been a multitude of studies which have been conducted that bring up important points for community service. For example, in a study conducted by the Corporation for National and Community Service, they state that “those who volunteer have lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression later in life” (NationalService.gov). Though helping others will not necessarily add ten years on to our lives, it is assuring to know that aid will always be awarded, and it does not have to be in the form of currency. It further justifies helping out at the Soup Kitchen or taking time out of the day to help a person move in because it may hold an important value in furthering the lives of everybody including ourselves. Furthermore, the study adds on that for those who are older, volunteering actually may provide them with a “sense of purpose at a time when their social roles are changing” (Nationalservice.gov). This idea not only connects to the concepts by those touched upon in the previous paragraph, but it shows the importance of the connection that mental health and the sense of purpose have in a person’s life. This all harkens back to the passage by Jonas Salk which completely epitomizes the ideas that are described, which convey the true importance that community service has on everybody who is involved.
Although community service at its’ heart is something almost all people can jump on board with, many have implored that the role of community service is diminishing due to those who try to force the activity as a requirement, such as in schools who ask for a specific number of hours in order for a student to graduate.

Though this complaint makes sense logically because if volunteering is no longer an optional activity, but instead is a necessary requirement, it essentially invalidates the entire premise of it. But it should be remembered that in the end, the person will not only be helping himself mentally, but he would also be bettering the community he is living in. In my experience, sometimes I needed that push in order to get myself to help out others. Since it has been proven to better ones’ health as well, it may very well be an important activity which everybody should carry

out.
When it comes to helping others, it is hard to argue against the simple idea of it. Whether the acts are small or great, they should always be supported, for they bring us into a better mental and physical health. The positives affect everybody that is involved, and as Jonas Salk states, it provides opportunities which help bring us one step closer to finding our place in the world.