Restoring trust requires time and effort, but it doesn’t necessarily involve going to great lengths—at least not literally. The most powerful shifts can take place on doorsteps and around dinner tables in conversations between neighbors, coworkers, and classmates. As we approach the holiday season, what steps can we take to build communities based on mutual trust? This week’s In Focus looks at how dialogue and connection can help get us there.

Weave: The Social Fabric Project understands healthy communities and neighborhoods depend on the exchange of trust. The program intentionally creates spaces for relationship-building and problem-solving. At the heart of its work are Weavers, individuals who strengthen their communities by addressing the issues that impact them. These ordinary citizens do extraordinary work—they lead with love, inspire hope, and show up for their neighbors every day.

Weaver Spotlight: Danielle Battle

Danielle Battle founded ReStore Inner City Hope, a community center in the Cherry Hill neighborhood of Baltimore City. The center provides resources to both youth and adults through an afterschool program, a workforce development program, and family support services. Last year, she received a 2021 Weaver Award for her efforts.

Hear Danielle talk about building trust and learn more about Weave’s work.

Approaching the holiday season, we’re bound to have conversations with friends and family about today’s hot-button topics. The Better Arguments Project, an initiative of the Citizenship and American Identity Program, teaches people the art of civil discourse. Better arguments are rooted in historical context, prioritize relationships, and embrace vulnerability.

Program ambassador Courtney Wright, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Carolina at Chapel Hill, finds that constructive arguments facilitate idea flow and foster trust among her community of students. Conversations about our differences are difficult, but they challenge us to understand one another better. Feel free to apply the principles of a better argument at your next gathering.

Read the full piece here.

Social Capital Nourishes Public Trust

Anne Mosle, executive director of Ascend, knows that community dialogue plays a significant role in restoring trust. She believes we must reevaluate how we build social capital, the access to relationships and networks that unlock opportunities. Listening to people and honoring their lived experiences is our most valuable tool in the pursuit of prosperity and well-being for all families.

Religious Pluralism Helps Overcome Community Division

A pluralistic society is essential to our democracy, and religious pluralism helps communities navigate complex social issues by challenging bias and building empathy. The Religion and Society Program emphasizes community-building in pursuit of a world where religious and non-religious people trust one another.

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