The words we use change how we interact with our world and our communities. As we navigate the challenges and novelty of the COVID-19 crisis, we have been forced to adapt our vernacular. You can’t easily go a day without hearing the words social distancing, quarantine, and isolation. Today, Canadians are adding another word to this list: “caremongering”.
Here’s what it’s all about:
Changing the Language of Fear
Since the arrival of COVID-19 news in the media, we have been bombarded with fear-mongering tactics–statistics spun to sell us whatever doomsday narrative will elicit the most clicks on an article. It’s important to be informed, but it’s not only exhausting to be surrounded by constant fear and anxiety, it’s also taxing to our mental health. Naturally, some Canadians have decided to take action against this. Recently, the “caremongering” movement has sprung up in many communities.
Simply put, “caremongering” is a social movement of community kindness that is comprised of small acts that make a big difference.
It’s the effort of neighbours creating a chain of kindness to help sustain those in need. “Caremongering” can look like many things. It can mean delivering groceries to a neighbour, turning over a local garden plot, or making your neighbours happy with things like side-walk chalk drawings. You can even take action by donning protective gear and picking up litter at a local park–especially since our environment is so important to both our physical and mental well-being. The “caremongering” movement can bring a little more happiness into our community, and it can also provide a safety net for those who need it.
Turning Cash into Kindness
If you are able, use some of your own money to help spread kindness and bring some goodness to your community. You can fuel up with extra gas to help you get groceries to someone who needs it, or help out by driving someone with diversabilities to the hospital. You can also check out some previous posts from this month’s #localgoodnessYEG for other local initiatives and organizations you can support.
Giving the Gift of Time
Take some time to think about the people closest to you. Do you know anyone that could use assistance? Is someone you care about in need of some kindness? We also urge you to think of the most vulnerable members of our community: the homeless. Try to think of something you could do to brighten their day or help them feel safer in this uncertain time. You can also use this time to get to know some of the neighbours that you might not have gotten a chance to know before isolating. Now is the perfect time to slow-down and make new connections in your neighbourhood. You can also follow some other popular feeds for Edmonton through your social accounts, for instance #yeglocal or #yeghelps, or the community league social media feed for your neighbourhood.
Spread the Word
Use your voice to get the word out about local organizations that are working hard to take care of YEG. Help spread awareness of these organizations through word of mouth or on social media. You can also help by connecting those who don’t know how with the resources they need. Alternatively, use your voice to connect those who want to help with organizations that need help. These acts of community activism are the foundation of a strong and kind populace.
Ways to Get Involved
If you are interested in getting involved with the local goodness that is “caremongering,” we encourage you to check out some of the pages we have linked below. They will help you take your first steps in joining the “caremongering” movement. Click to find out more!
- Edmonton’s community response to COVID-19
- Edmonton’s own “caremongering” group
- Spread some kindness by sending notes to seniors!
How Others are “Caremongering”
Check out some of these inspiring stories from others who have joined the “caremongering” movement! The links below are some examples of what “caremongering” can look like. We have some truly extraordinary helpers in our city and our country, and we’re proud to fuel that behind the hashtag #LocalGoodnessYEG right here at home..