A Social Fabric Project
“Communities are built one stitch at a time and everyone has needle and thread.”
— Author, David Brooks
Be a friend, have a friend, do good
Two things are clear about improving the social fabric of our Driftless Wisconsin communities. The journey to be engaged and helpful is to be done with others not for others and everyone has something to give, especially folks over 50 years old with “gas still in their tanks.”
The social fabric of our communities is fragile.
Only the most socially outgoing people are connected with others. We have fewer face to face connections with friends, and while social media can be helpful, overall, it has a corroding effect on our well-being.
What do you mean by “social fabric?”
The social fabric refers to the intricate network of social relationships, norms, values, and institutions that hold our communities and society together. It includes elements such as family structures, cultural practices, and community organizations. Think of the social fabric like a patchwork quilt with different fabrics stitched together. Each fabric represents a different aspect of our communities – families, churches, schools, businesses and groups – all interconnected and contributing to the overall structure.
Equipping you to connect and receive
- Receive by email occasional five minute reads related to the social fabric of the Driftless.
- Receive a five minute survey we call the Helping Inventory. Chances are that you overcommited in helping others or looking to get clear about with whom and where to do good, you know…get going. Today the inventory is in beta form so your help in making it better will be great.
- Receive as a gift one of two books after completing the Inventory
– How to Know a Person – By David Brooks or
– Build the Life You Want – By Arthur Brooks and Oprah Winfrey - Receive an invitation to join a small group to talk about the book during three Zoom calls
- Receive an invitation to a good meal and conversation in the fall of 2025.
- If there are good opportunities to grow and connect by sponsoring events that are already underway, Connected for Good Fund at the SWCF can help out.
- And finally, along the way, without pressure, you’ll know if and when to go deeper, connect with others or do good.
- In other words, receive, reflect, connect
Where Shall We Begin?
- Start where you are.
- Use what you have.
- Do what you can do.
– Teddy Roosevelt
How it works
No pressure, no inbox clutter, no boring meetings…. and we’ll never ask you for a donation or insist that you volunteer. Just a playful learning journey about the social fabric of the Driftless and the science of well-being; invitations to connect with other people of goodwill and along the way, if it feels right, you might see opportunities to jump in and help others. In other words, be a friend, have a friend, do good.