“Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community.”
By Amber Roelofs
One definition of community is a sense of cohesiveness among a group of people. For generations, an individual’s community served a vital role in terms of offering camaraderie and acting as a support system. Phoenix is a newer city that has only recently encountered explosive growth. Desert Ridge has been a community for less than twenty years. With there being so many transplants to this area, and therefore, less generational ties, it is important for community members to get involved in order to nurture the natural human instinct to be together as a group. As our current society moves at a quicker pace than ever before due to technology, packed schedules, and the commonness of changing homes, cities, states, and jobs, our ability to create a sense of community suffers. It is incredibly easy to become isolated in our homes, especially with the all consuming effort that children require, which can lead to a sense of loneliness.
There are so many ways to foster a sense of community just by supporting and interacting positively with other people who share a vested interest. Desert Ridge Parents’ Group (DRPG) believes we can cultivate a strong community by our everyday actions including acknowledging a passerby in your neighborhood, attending community events such as DRPG’s upcoming Boo and Brew and Fall Festival, volunteering, meeting your neighbors, buying from local merchants, supporting schools, which tend to be cornerstones in a thriving community, making an extra effort to talk with someone who may have a different background or perspective than your own, and participating in random acts of kindness.
DRPG has numerous opportunities to encourage and further community ties with not only our big events such as the Boo and Brew and Fall Festival, but also frequent Moms, Dads and Parents Nights Out, staycations, a book club, crafts for parents and kids, volunteer opportunities, Bunco and weekly playgroups among other fun opportunities to mix with a smaller section of our overall community.
A strong community benefits the individual and the community as well as the greater society. Both parents and children who feel a sense of belonging tend to lead happier and healthier lives, and strong communities create a more stable and supportive society.
Desert Ridge® Parents’ Group (DRPG)
The Desert Ridge® Parents’ Group (DRPG) is a fun-filled organization for parents and children in the North phoenix area. All families in the Desert Ridge® community are invited to check out our activities and events! Founded in 1997, the not-for-profit Desert Ridge® Parents’ Group (DRPG) hosts weekly playgroups, monthly kids’ and family activities, seasonal events and parents-only nights for residents in Desert Ridge and surrounding areas. Membership dues are only $30 per year.
