How to support your community and get civically involved in Colorado

This time of year you may be wondering, “How can I make a positive impact?”

Whether the 2024 election or the spirit of the holidays has inspired you, there are many ways you can get involved in your community and help shape its future.

We spoke with Evan Weissman, founder of Hot cookies of the revolutionto share some ideas. The nonprofit uses art and creativity to make challenging issues more accessible through events, videos and other formats.

Determine what you are working for or against

Weissman said the first step to creating positive change is deciding where and how to focus your energy. What do you want? prevent or to obstruct? What do you want? protect or construct?

“You want to be defensive about the things you don’t like, that you want to be (in community) with other people to try to stop,” Weissman said. “That could be volunteering with organizations that are going to defend things that the federal government is most likely going to attack,” he explained, listing issues like immigration and LGBTQ rights.

Weissman also encouraged people to think: “What are the constructive things I want to be involved in socially?” This could be mentoring a student, leading a skill share, or taking other actions that promote fairness and equality.

Traditional approaches to community engagement

If you feel inspired to create social change, Weissman says, there are a few ways to do so.

You can take a typical approach such as calling your representatives or attending city council meetings. Or you can automate feedback to your reps by subscribing Voter’s issue.

Issue Voter lets you sign up for alerts based on your location and the issues you care about, regardless of your political beliefs. Once you create an account, Weissman explains, you’ll get a message like, “Hey, there’s going to be a vote on the military. This is what the proponents say, this is what the opponents say.” You can then simply click a button in the message and Issue Voter will send an automated email with your name and information to the appropriate representative, expressing your support or opposition to the measure.

Creative approaches to community engagement

Are you uninterested or unable to participate in traditional approaches such as writing your representative or attending a public meeting? You’re not alone.

These approaches “can be difficult for a lot of people,” Weissman admitted. “(Public gatherings) are a challenge because they often don’t take place at good times. Maybe not all languages ​​are represented… maybe they don’t have childcare.”

Moreover, taking action “along with other people is quite important,” Weissman emphasized. You don’t get that when you call or write a letter.

“Even if you’re shy or introverted,” says Weissman, “I still think things don’t feel as challenging and impossible if you can do them together.”

As part of the Warm Cookies programming, Aurora residents can also take advantage a $500 stipend to host a civic celebrationand residents of Silverthorne and Leadville can participate intercultural community meetings in the coming months.

Here’s a list of accessible (and fun) ways to collaborate with others and create positive change in your community:

• Create a civic-minded book or craft club
• Lead a mutual aid fundraiser
• Start a community refrigerator or food pantry
• Lead a winter clothing or holiday toy drive
• Donate blood
• Start an identity-based discussion or activity group
• Create and distribute care packages to people experiencing homelessness
• Volunteer at a local animal shelter or foster animals at home
• Mentor a student
• Offer community yoga, meditation, tai chi, or breathwork
• Lead a cleanup effort for a park, riverfront or other public space
• Sign up as a conversation partner to help someone learn a new language
• Donate money or other resources to a cause you believe in

Do you have other ideas for social involvement? Share them with us at (email protected).