Community Living

Community settings are very diverse. Restaurants, libraries, churches, and stores are part of the community. Social events and activities occur in community settings. City buildings where people go to vote and be part of town discussions are also part of the community. Each person is involved in the community in different ways. Young children, youth, and older adults have different roles and strengths that they can bring to a community. Sometimes people do not feel like they are part of their community. Living with a mental illness, developmental disability, autism, traumatic brain injury or other disability sometimes makes it more difficult to reach out to other people. People may feel lonely or sad because they do not know how to make friends with other people. Positive supports are used to show people how to get more involved in activities. Sometimes positive supports help people make new friends. Other positive supports encourage someone to reach out to other people at social events. Making a contribution to your community can increase feelings of wellbeing. Becoming a volunteer, working in a job, and voting are part of giving back to a community. Some positive supports are used to help all of the people living in a community setting. These types of positive supports are used to improve everyone’s social and emotional health.