Sometimes, when times get tough and we get really busy, we have a tendency to focus on our own little world, whether that world is a retirement or assisted living community, a company striving to make their way in a competitive industry or just you personal world.  The tendency might be to only use your time and resources to make sure that your “world” is in order.  We may only have the resources to do this, unless we expand our vision outside our boundaries.

For the active adult or assisted living community, the word community is thought to only cover the physical property on which that community stands.  But, expanding to become part of the neighborhood in which the property is based, can expand the world in which your residents can live and can bring life to your property from beyond the walls of your community.  For C.C. Young in Dallas, this meant creating a free-standing art and education program that brings together people in Dallas and residents of their sprawling campus.  This program presents opportunity for both to expand their cultural boundaries and continue the education property.  It also brings attention to the campus and recognition in the community of their excellent programs.  Many other communities host financial seminars, health fairs, art exhibits, cooking shows and other great activities that bring the surrounding neighborhood into their world and give opportunities to both to learn something or experience something of value.

If you are a business, without the opportunity to host events, find partners to host and you can act as a sponsor, helping to create a “buzz” around the event.   Or, you can create an event, do all the planning and legwork and just find a great community to host the event, inviting both residents and those in the neighborhood.  

Creating opportunities for the neighborhood around your property to get involved with your community can pay huge dividends.  Residents have more opportunities for enriching activities, your awareness in the surrounding area grows, helping with leads and residents can also have an opportunity to share their talents and knowledge with people in the community.

So, need to spark some life into your community or business?  Open those doors and invite in the world around you!

Cheers, df