Q. What happens when you build community? Everything.

When we talk about the work of Starfire, we use the phrase “building community.” A lot. Half of Starfire’s staff have the actual job title of Community Builder.

Here’s a quick primer on what it is, along with a story about one of our partners, Missy Schwartz.

In its simplest form, building community is a field of practices toward bringing people with shared interests together. Robert Putnam, author of Bowling Alone, says this action represents social capital which creates a sense of belonging, while Peter Block, who wrote Community:  The Structure of Belonging, shares that community building is restorative and brings possibility, generosity, and gifts.

Not a bad idea in today’s world.

As Community Builders, we work with our partners with intellectual and developmental disabilities to discover gifts and interests. This helps partners establish identities, exclusive of their disability, that can lead to connecting with ordinary citizens who share their gifts and interests. As community connections are built, partners are well positioned for “being known” and “being named” in their community — and to creating valued roles, as Missy Schwartz has done.

Missy Schwartz, Starfire partner & Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cincinnati volunteer

Missy is on the prayer team and serves as an usher at Shekinah Glory Missionary Church in Elmwood, which recently joined in with another assembly in Cumminsville. Missy has an encyclopedic knowledge of dogs. Loves ‘em. She also happens to have a developmental disability.

Missy’s building doesn’t allow pets. But the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cincinnati (IHNGC) does! In fact, it’s the only facility in Cincinnati that houses pets for people who are experiencing homelessness. And they needed Missy.

Missy Schwartz

Known & Named

Valued roles: Starfire partner, Shekinah Glory Missionary Church prayer team member & usher, pet lover, pet shelter volunteer at Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cincinnati.

Starfire Sr. Community Builder Danyetta Najoli introduced Missy to IHNGC in Walnut Hills in 2021. Today, Missy is a Pet Shelter Volunteer. She walks and feeds the dogs and does laundry as needed. The socialization she provides to the animals (especially the cats) is key to keeping the animals happy and healthy. The pet shelter manager, Garrett Parsons, was glad to have Missy join the team, and Missy also enjoys talking with Meghan Snyder who works at the shelter.

“I like walking Baby,” says Missy, “Or as I call her Min-Pin.”

Missy is making a difference at IHNGC. She’s seen in a valued role at the pet shelter because her efforts really do help care for the animals that otherwise might be surrendered to an animal shelter or left behind.

Missy’s been able to grow her confidence, community, and connections via the shelter. She’s a great ambassador for community-building, and when she was getting her hair cut, she enjoyed talking about volunteer opportunities at the shelter with Tonya Sanderson, a licensed cosmetologist. Tonya is also the pastor at Shekinah Glory Missionary Church, and she invited Missy to church, where she’s creating more connections. Missy’s faith is so important to her that she got baptized at the church and has been a vital part of that community ever since!

What do you need to “build community”?

For starters, you need people. People who are willing to share their time and interests authentically. And in a meaningful (not arduous) way. People like Tonya Sanderson, or Thane Lorbach, who opens his woodworking shop (and heart) to Aaron. Or Alicia Hildebrand or Rico Rodriguez, citizen artists who work with Kachelle to create beauty in Lower Price Hill.

Activating citizen involvement can be as easy as gathering a group of people or neighbors with similar interests. Witnessing the experience can help sustain and grow real, authentic, and meaningful relationships. The kind that build a more inclusive world. One person at a time.  

Want to learn more? Check out starfirecincy.org/starfirestories or call me, Robbie Jennings Michels, at 513.281.2100.