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Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · 8d

Equitable access to nature-based play helps build resilience, social bonds & belonging, even in cities with little green space.

2022 Fellow Laura explored how urban planners can integrate play into everyday spaces to support community well-being.

ow.ly/s69050WUSPr

Urban Resilience Through Play: Broadening Access to Urban Green Play Spaces

Laura Murphy
In 2022, Social Connectedness Fellow Laura Murphy, in partnership with Data-Driven Envirolab, examined how nature-oriented play features in urban planning can strengthen psychological resilience. As part of her work, Murphy challenged urban planners and community leaders to rethink play and everyday green spaces.

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Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · 10d

“Volunteering has huge benefits for those that do it, for community, and the wider social fabric.” — Sara Lyons

In this episode, Sara explores how to reimagine volunteerism as a more inclusive, resilient, and connected force for community.

Listen: ow.ly/T2w350WUS05

Sara Lyons: Canada’s National Volunteer Action Strategy

Podcast Episode · The Conversation Piece · 2025-07-03 · 12m

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Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · 22d

What do we seek when we reach out for connection? As Paul Bloom notes, it’s to be “humanely understood.” Empathy means caring enough to truly see another’s emotions. That felt care, given and received, is at the heart of belonging.

ow.ly/H96s50WHALc

A.I. Is About to Solve Loneliness. That’s a Problem

The discomfort of loneliness shapes us in ways we don’t recognize—and we may not like what we become without it.

ow.ly

Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · 23d

During COVID-19, many queer youth found belonging through online communities. As a 2022 Social Connectedness Fellow, Ashli Au explored innovative ways these spaces support 2SLGBTQ+ youth in partnership with McGill.

ow.ly/BHFi50WMbV8

Graphic with image of Ashli, and text that reads "Ashli Au. Fostering Community in COVID-19: How Individuals and Groups that work with and for Queer Youth have adapted to a Virtual World. As part of the 2022 Social Connectedness Fellowship program, Ashli Au partnered with McGill’s Faculty of Arts Internship Office to identify leading examples and innovative approaches to building supportive online communities for 2SLGBTQ+ youth.

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Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · Aug 29

Immigration raises deep questions of belonging. As Adrienne Clarkson writes: “Immigrants cannot remain they. They will be, and are becoming, us.” Building belonging means moving from mistrust to a new language of trust and respect.

cbc.ca/radio/ideas/...

Silhouettes of people at the airport, with a plane taking off in the background.

Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · Aug 26

“Belonging goes beyond a social need. It’s rooted in a profound connection to the land & water.” — Chief Kluane Adamek.

In The Conversation Piece, Chief Kluane shares how a deep relationship with nature grounds us. Especially in times of disconnection.

podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/c...

Chief Kluane Adamek: Land, Water, and Belonging

Podcast Episode · The Conversation Piece · 2025-06-26 · 8m

podcasts.apple.com

Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · Aug 20

Seoul has opened “mind convenience stores,” community hubs where residents facing loneliness can share meals, watch films, or simply be together. Even small, everyday interactions can spark comfort, connection, and belonging.

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Instant noodles, foot spas and counsellors: Seoul tackles loneliness with ‘mind convenience stores’

As South Korea grapples with an epidemic of loneliness, the capital city has launched an ambitious new programme to address it

www.theguardian.com

Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · Aug 18

“Do I feel included? Do I belong?” Kelly Lendsay shows how true inclusion goes beyond a buzzword—it drives reconciliation, strengthens communities, and transforms workplaces into spaces where everyone is valued.

ow.ly/MpAy50WHyCJ

Kelly Lendsay: Indigenous Workplace Belonging

Podcast Episode · The Conversation Piece · 2025-06-24 · 7m

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Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · Aug 11

Indigenous youth are 8% of Canada’s youth but 48% of incarcerated youth—a number still rising. 2019 Fellow Shaista Asmi explored how colonialism and systemic failures drive over-incarceration, deepening trauma in Indigenous communities.

ow.ly/I50g50WCMkR

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Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · Aug 7

“Belonging is inherent in the Ininiwak way of life.” Dr. Becky Cook shares how Indigenous-led education can reclaim identity, restore autonomy, and help each person find their place in the community. Belonging isn’t taught—it’s lived.

podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/d...

Dr. Becky Cook: Rebuilding Indigenous Autonomy, Nationhood, and Belonging

Podcast Episode · The Conversation Piece · 2025-06-19 · 9m

podcasts.apple.com

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Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · Aug 1

“What if loneliness isn’t about individual health but community health?” – Claire Lehmann

Loneliness is more than personal. It's a broader crisis of belonging & disconnection from people, place, power, & purpose. It’s time to build healthier communities.

ow.ly/S4SK50WvOO8

Multiracial Group of People by the Table

Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · Jul 23

When people lose language, culture, or identity, it can deepen loneliness.” – Kahir Lalji

Kahir shares how culturally relevant care, like tailored social prescribing, can help older adults reconnect and belong.

🎧 Listen: podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/k...

Kahir Lalji: The Importance of Culturally Relevant Social Prescribing

Podcast Episode · The Conversation Piece · 2025-06-12 · 8m

podcasts.apple.com

Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · Jul 16

Food is about more than nutrition; it’s about belonging.

2023 Fellow Nicole Traynor partnered with Qajuqturvik CFC to explore how food insecurity affects connection in Nunavut, where over half of households struggle to access food.

ow.ly/TPri50WpclQ

Text reads "Nicole Traynor. The correlation between income, food security, and community in Nunavut. In partnership with Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre, 2023 Fellow Nicole Traynor investigated the role food plays in belonging and how economic solutions could eliminate food insecurity in Nunavut."

Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · Jul 15

“Our sense of belonging, purpose, and meaning are keys to our well-being and our happiness.” – Diana Rose

In this episode of The Conversation Piece, Diana shares how social prescribing can foster identity, healing, and connection.

podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/d...

Diana Rose: Social Prescribing in Action

Podcast Episode · The Conversation Piece · 2025-06-10 · 8m

podcasts.apple.com

Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · Jul 14

“We need others—perhaps especially those we disagree with.”

In “Love Your Enemies,” Arthur C. Brooks reminds us that gratitude can grow from mutual dependence, even across divides. Belonging deepens when we make room for one another’s imperfections.

🔗 www.hbs.edu/faculty/Page...

Silhouette of people at beach during sunset

Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · Jul 7

Belonging takes both personal and collective action.

We can nurture it through relationships, service, and community. But we also need systems that support connection to the 4Ps of belonging: people, place, power, and purpose.

#Belonging #SocialConnection

Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · Jul 3

“I believe that the solution for many of the world's challenges lies in building belonging.” – Kim Samuel

In this podcast, Kim Samuel shares how social prescribing and the 4 Ps—people, place, power, & purpose—can help no one be left out.

🎧 ow.ly/IyCg50WilMs

Kim Samuel: Social Prescribing and the Four Ps of Belonging

Podcast Episode · The Conversation Piece · 2025-06-03 · 8m

ow.ly

Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · Jun 24

What happens when you lose your wallet? According to the World Happiness Report, most are returned, more than people expect. The takeaway? People are kinder than we think. And knowing that boosts happiness, trust, and the confidence to connect with others.

buff.ly/G6jbqEx

Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · Jun 16

Harvard’s Global Flourishing Study finds young adults are struggling with purpose and connection. In Psycholofy Today, our founder, Kim Samuel, explores how declining religious participation may be fueling a crisis of belonging.

🔗 bit.ly/3wM3LfA

Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · Jun 13

Updated link: www.socialconnectedness.org/from-isolati...

From Isolation to Integration: Building a Sense of Belonging in a New Environment

By Soraya Amiri Soraya Amiri is an experienced media professional and women’s rights advocate with over five years of journalism experience in print, radio, and television in Afghanistan and Canada. I...

www.socialconnectedness.org

Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · Jun 12

How does Canada foster belonging for newcomers?

In a new report, Soraya Amiri shares stories from immigrants & service providers to explore what helps build connections in a new country.
🔗 Read more: buff.ly/z4WzQyz

Graphic with image of a girl and text that reads "Soraya Amiri. From Isolation to Integration: Building a Sense of Belonging in a New Environment. This research explores how newcomers to Toronto navigate the challenges of language barriers, housing, employment, and unfamiliar systems. Through interviews with immigrants and refugees, it highlights the moments and supports, like community programs and personal connections, that help build a sense of belonging in a new place."

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Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · Jun 9

Caroline, a 2024 Social Connectedness Fellow, shares how inclusive education shaped her journey from a pivotal friendship in childhood to a life of advocacy, leadership, and community impact.

Read more: buff.ly/FTaX9CD

Intellectual disability students smiling. Text over top that reads "Inclusive education creates equal opportunities for students with disabilities not only to access quality learning but also to build the skills to connect with others. My own experience shows how inclusive classrooms can lead to lasting friendships and open doors to leadership and community, helping students with disabilities feel a true sense of belonging, even long after they graduate. - Caroline Naluwemba"

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Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · Jun 4

“Supporting volunteer well-being is essential to sustaining belonging.”

At #TheWalrusTalks, Vinod Rajasekaran of @futureofgood shared how burnout is affecting nonprofit workers, & why rethinking support systems is key to the sector’s future.

Watch here: buff.ly/JTLpwVb

Image that says "As the nonprofit sector faces mounting challenges, we must ask ourselves: What if we reimagined volunteerism and worker well-being? The research is in—now it's time for us to act and create a sector that supports those who give so much of themselves. Vinod Rajasekaran, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Future of Good. The Walrus Talks Reimagining Volunteerism."

Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · Jun 2

ALT:

Image of 2 people and text that says 'Inclusivity for people with disabilities means creating environments where everyone can fully participate not as an afterthought, but as an essential part of society. When we centre the specific needs and lived experiences of people with disabilities, we move closer to a world where everyone has the right to belong. -Méliss Desmond'

Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness @sconnectedness.bsky.social · Jun 2

What does it really mean to be an ally to people with disabilities?

In their blog, 2024 Fellow Méliss shares practical insights on allyship, inclusion & cultural competence—rooted in lived experience as a sibling.

Read more + explore their zine:
🔗: buff.ly/e0GkSNg

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