i. Ask participants to discuss what the statement “You are better off being a part of a community than by yourself” means to them.
ii. Relate back to the “caveperson activity” completed in the anticipatory set and discuss how difficult it would be to survive on your own.
i. Discuss the definition of communities and explain that a community extends beyond the local geographic area where you live. A community may include the suburb where you live, the rural area where you live, your church, another organization you are involved in, your school, your state, a social networking site you belong to, etc.
ii. Ask participants to determine what communities they are a part of making sure to consider local, extended, and even virtual communities.
i. Refer back to the communities discussed in slide 3 and ask participants to determine how they benefit from the communities they are a part of.
ii. Explain that being a part of a community provides you with access to resources, such as roads, stores and restaurants.
iii. Being a part of a community also connects you with others and allows you to build social relationships. This is known as social capital.
Explain that social relationships provide benefits for all domains of well‐being. Use the examples provided to stress that social relationships offer a wide variety of benefits.
i. Explain that social capital provides financial benefits even if you aren’t directly receiving money.
ii. Make sure to consider in‐kind income when considering the benefits of social capital.
Explain that for most people the main part of their social capital consists of family, friends, and non‐profits.
i. Ask participants what they think family is.
ii. Discuss the definition and explain that family could include immediate and extended family members who are related by blood, marriage, adoption (including foster children) as well as unrelated individuals who live in one household.
i. Tell participants to refer back to the family members discussed on slide 8 and determine at least three forms of support those family members provide.
1. Tell participants that when creating their list, they should make sure to consider in‐kind income, the well‐being domains, and how their family provides for both their needs and their wants.
ii. Ask participants to share some of the items on their list and discuss how family members provide for each other, especially as a young adult.
iii. Ask participants to determine what they would do if they didn’t receive this support from their family.
i. Explain that in addition to family social networks also include relationships with friends.
ii. Ask participants to determine at least three ways their friends support them. Examples may include getting a ride, emotional support/advice, borrowing money, etc.
i. Discuss the definition of a non‐profit and use the examples provided on the slide.
ii. Ask participants to brainstorm some non‐profits in your local community.
i. Explain that non‐profits offer the opportunity to enhance your social capital by being about to receive and give. For example, volunteering at the local food bank and being a member of Boy or Girl Scouts are ways to use non‐profits to enhance social capital.
1. Explain that in addition to enhancing social capital, non‐profits can also offer the opportunity to enhance human capital by developing transferable skills and providing experiences.
ii. Non‐profits also provide assistance during times of need, such as food banks that provide free food and rescue missions that provide free shelter.
i. Ask participants to consider all of the support received from their social relationships. Have they done anything to express their gratitude for this support?
ii. Explain that in an important part of social capital is giving. Giving back to those you receive from is a form of gratitude and will enhance your social capital.
iii. Stress that giving doesn’t have to be monetary. Giving can include small things such as mowing the lawn or preparing a meal.
Explain to participants that social capital provides financial support because they may receive benefits from social capital that they would have had to pay for otherwise. For example, borrowing an item that you would have had to pay for otherwise or having a free place to live.
