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Topic: Community Engagement

Community engagement is the extent to which individuals take responsibility for addressing civic issues and improving the life of their community. Participating in electoral and political processes, such as voting, campaigning, attending rallies and protests, contacting officials or serving on local boards, is one aspect of community engagement. Broader community engagement includes affiliating with religious, educational, neighborhood and community organizations. Participation can take several forms, including volunteering time and making financial contributions.


Photo provided by Zachary Cohn of Rochester Parkour
Community engagement is a central value in our community's past and present. Two of our great historical leaders — Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony — worked tirelessly to extend the right to vote to all people. Clara Barton, a resident of Dansville in Livingston County, founded the American Red Cross in 1881. George Eastman is credited with helping to establish the Community Chest — the forerunner of today's United Way of Greater Rochester. And, in 1937, Al Sigl began to use his WHAM radio show to match blood donors with those in need. His "Legion of Blood Donors" was the predecessor of today's American Red Cross Blood services.
 
Today, community engagement in our region is strong, with higher-than-average voting and volunteer participation. Area residents are generous in making financial contributions, although the average contribution level lags the state and nation.

The measures for this topic are listed under the "Indicators-at-a-Glance" heading on this page. By clicking on any of these indicators, you can view the details relating to that measure, including the source of the data and any limitations. You can also view this information in a variety of charts and graphs. To gain a broader context for the measures, click on the "Trends" tab. For information about community efforts to address the issues presented by the indicators, click on the "What's Being Done" section. The "Resources" tab provides links to a variety of information sources.



Banner photo provided by Tina Yee/Democrat and Chronicle