Vertical Community Integration
By: Adrian Gee
Tags: Networking, Social, Social Media, Social Change, Charity

I recently started volunteering in my community and saw how much of a need there was for people to help others and be involved. Some volunteering I did included tutoring adults preparing for ACT and GED exams at my local library and helping with food distribution at my local food pantry. I couldn’t help but think a lot of these people could use more help than some tutoring and food, although I believe some book knowledge and bread does go a long way. I realized a lot of the recipients of these charitable services could also use assistance with things like job placement, social skills, encouragement, and above all, someone they could talk to. Many of them could use a friend. A friend who is not necessarily like them because chances are they already know people like them. Someone who can teach them new things and someone whom they could teach things to.

I also felt a need for human connection, which is why I started volunteering. However, I found it difficult to network and connect with people receiving charitable services. When I tutor or distribute food I am in a more authoritative position than they are. Asking if they would like to discuss matters other than the tutoring material or food distribution didn’t seem very professional.

That was my eureka moment. All the friction that lies between us and other groups is a mere social construct. We are told that we should stay within our own social class and groups for some strange reason. We are shamed and even shunned when we befriend someone less fortunate than us. Social media, which is suppose to connect us, exacerbates the problem, bubbling us into our own like minded circles and as a consequence polarizes society.

When we connect with a broad range of people and ideas, we increase social capital for everyone. The exchange of benevolence enriches all of us. Which is why I am proposing a new social networking idea that improves our communities and doesn’t divide us. The following is a concept that I would like to implement, if only to connect with people in my own community and make it a better place.

Vertical Community Integration (VCI) is a pragmatic approach to increase social and economic mobility, and to enrich communities with lasting and fulfilling relationships by connecting people from different economic backgrounds, education levels, race, age, social status and class. As a result, VCI will reduce poverty and loneliness while increasing trust and cooperation between our communities thereby improving overall society.

Problem:

Modern society and social norms make it difficult to connect with people, especially from different socioeconomic backgrounds. In a stratified society with little communication, empathy, and knowledge sharing between different socioeconomic groups, barriers to socioeconomic mobility emerge due to mistrust and lack of understanding between the groups.

Objectives:

To connect people of different socioeconomic groups with the purpose of increasing the social and economic mobility of people within disadvantaged communities. To create meaningful friendships across social and economic boundaries within society for the mutual benefit of all people participating in VCI.

How It Works:

People participate in VCI to connect with others outside their socioeconomic group. The reasons people may want to join include:

People seeking mentorship and guidance. People wanting to help others with lower socioeconomic status. People wanting genuine friendships and connection. People wanting to learn from different groups and communities.

VCI will provide a website and facility where people can sign up to join. The following is the general information the application will ask for: