At Values Into Action, we believe that everyone deserves to feel connected—to friends, family, and their community. That’s why our current Quality Management Plan (QMP) includes a goal to help people build stronger relationships and feel more satisfied with their social lives.
Why Connection Matters
Feeling lonely can hurt your health. In fact, the U.S. Surgeon General says that being lonely can be as bad for you as smoking 15 cigarettes a day! That’s why our QMP focuses on helping people feel more connected. We want to increase the number of people who say they’re happy with the support they get to make friends and have meaningful connections in their community.
Friendship is one of the most important parts of a good life. It gives us joy, support, and a sense of belonging. But making and keeping friends as an adult can be really hard. Busy schedules, life changes, and fewer social spaces can make it tough to connect. That’s why it’s so important to create opportunities for people to build real, lasting relationships—especially for those who rely on support to do so.
A Toolkit to Help Build Friendships
To support this goal, we created a Social Connectedness Toolkit using Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) tools. These tools help people figure out what matters most to them and how to take steps toward building relationships.
Here are some of the tools in the kit:
- Trajectory Tool: Helps people think about what a good life looks like and how to avoid feeling isolated.
- Integrated Supports Star: Shows what supports are available—like friends, technology, and community groups.
- One-Page Profile: Summarizes what’s important to the person and how others can support them.
- Relationship Map: Helps people see who they already know and how they can grow their social circle.
Ways to Connect With Others
Here are some simple things anyone can do to help build friendships and feel more connected:
- Talk about what friendship means to you or someone you support.
- Find shared interests like music, sports, or hobbies—and look for local groups or events.
- Use a Relationship Map to see who’s already in your life and how to build on those connections.
- Join community activities like clubs, volunteer groups, or faith-based events.
- Use technology like video calls or social media to stay in touch.
- Celebrate small wins—like meeting someone new or having a good conversation.
Let’s Work Together
Social connection isn’t just nice—it’s necessary. Through our Quality Management Plan and the Social Connectedness Toolkit, we’re helping people build real relationships and connections. Check out the Social Connectedness Toolkit and share it with others. Together, we can make sure everyone has the chance to connect and thrive.