rooted. | issue 1
JOY AS AN INDICATOR OF THRIVING COMMUNITIES
What communities name as life giving informs a map for investment
Joy shows up in the data not as a soft idea, but as a measurable pattern of what people value and what they need more of. From family stories, our data report’s joy map surfaces recurring themes that read like a community blueprint:
family community
music dance laughter games food sports reading helping others exercise spirituality
These words are not just descriptive. They are directional. They show what people reach for when they are safe enough to live beyond survival. The report also organizes Joy Fund events into broad categories and points to a continued need for
social engagement community building celebrating joy healing preventing social isolation
Joy becomes a measurement of connection. A signal of belonging. A clue about what kind of programming, gathering space and neighborhood supports actually strengthen well-being over time. This is what it looks like to measure what truly matters: not only what was delivered, but what was restored. Not only what was funded, but what was reconnected. reflect: WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY?
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter maker