Stronger Together, Building a more connected community

Human beings are wired for connection, and we thrive–emotionally, spiritually, and physically–when we have people who care about us, places we feel we belong, and a sense of purpose.
"Together we can build a community that is healthier, more resilient, less lonely, and more connected."
- U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy
The U.S. Surgeon General and many others consider loneliness and isolation to be one of the largest public health challenges we face. Research shows that without adequate connection, loneliness and isolation contribute to depression, heart disease, stroke, anxiety, and dementia.

The health impact of social isolation is more harmful than smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Loneliness is linked to social isolation but it is not the same thing. Loneliness is an emotional experience: an unwelcome feeling of lack or loss of companionship. Social isolation is measurable: the level and frequency of one’s social interactions.

Navigating a changing world

what's wrong with you versus What happend to you

Loneliness can affect anyone, although certain factors can increase our risk of loneliness. Loneliness is higher for people who:

  • are teen girls
  • are new parents and single parents
  • earn less than $50K annually
  • are Black and Latinx
  • belong to the LGBTQ+ community
  • are 75 years of age or older
  • are living with a disability

What is fueling isolation and loneliness?

We are all navigating a changing world. Too often, our relationships take a backseat to other demands and priorities.

  • According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office, the time we spend engaging with our family and friends has been in decline since 2003.

what's wrong with you versus What happend to you
what's wrong with you versus What happend to you

Isolation and loneliness in Dodge and Jefferson Counties

Mental health treatment utilization has increased 64% in just 7 years. Demand for crisis services has jumped 200% in the same time period.

Together, we can create a better future

Our focus is on the everyday steps that help us build connection–for ourselves and throughout the community. Starting with individual actions and working outward through respective agencies, employers, schools, faith communities, civic clubs and more… it is possible to build relationships, environments and policies that support connection.
Our goal is to support hundreds of community conversations, activate thousands of individual pledges of support and dozens of organizational pledges to participate in this community movement to support social connection.

infographic showing pledge progress

Personal Pledge


Share your commitment to the community movement to reduce loneliness and isolation in Dodge and Jefferson Counties, and you’ll automatically receive news and updates on activities in our region.


Additional materials for organizations:


You can help share the information behind this movement--with your place of employment, with your book club, with your service organization. Our goal is to activate hundreds of individuals to take the pledge and take action that helps alleviate loneliness and isolation in their personal circle. You have two options to host a conversation:

      1) Use the toolkit materials available above to host a meeting yourself (plan for approximately 60 minutes).
      2) If you prefer, we can provide a trained conversation host to present the information for you. To schedule, contact us below.


Request a conversation host


Thank you for hosting a community conversation, raising awareness and activating support for building connected communities! The final step is to complete a short form to help us track progress toward our goals. Click on the link below to complete the form.

Share Your Results


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