Peter Eckerline

Community engagement is a vital part of planning and design for any development project . It’s not just about getting information out to people; it’s about fostering meaningful dialogue between decision-makers and the public, which can lead to better decisions. When well implemented, community engagement can help institutions make decisions that reflect the needs of their communities and the issues that affect them. This can include making decisions about how to implement new policies and programs or evaluating existing ones. It is also a way to establish trust within a community and can help reduce political apathy. When citizens see their elected officials actively engaging in the community, they feel that their voices matter and are more likely to have confidence in their ability to represent them. There are many different types of community engagement and it’s important to know which works best for your jurisdiction. Consider conducting a self-assessment and taking time to identify...

Community involvement is assisting a community or group of individuals better their lives. There are various ways to assist your community, like volunteering at an animal shelter or assisting a local school with projects. Numerous studies demonstrate that the arts may improve an individual's health and quality of life. This involves fostering personal growth and social engagement and encouraging healthy lifestyle choices. Additionally, arts-based solutions can contribute to community well-being and assist in addressing concerns of health inequities. The National Endowment for the Arts is collaborating with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to promote the arts in aging through a program. These initiatives have shown to be advantageous for the elderly. A review of one hundred small participatory arts projects revealed that these initiatives positively affected physical activity, healthy eating, and life satisfaction. In addition, it has been demonstrated that week...