Arial Weiberlen 

ENG 21002

Professor Zayas 

Research study final draft 

March 25, 2026

It takes a village 

 

Community plays an important role in everyday life, and people today feel more disconnected from those around them. According to a Pew Research Center report, “How connected do Americans feel to their neighbors? “ states that only 26% of Americans say they know “all or most” of their neighbors, and only 44% report trusting most of their fellow neighbors. This low reporting in social connections can suggest that many communities are becoming less engaged and less supportive. As a result, people may be missing out on the benefits that strong community relationships provide.  This decline is not just a minor social issue, but a serious problem that can affect society. When people lack connection, they may also lack strong connections; they are more likely to experience isolation, reduced support systems, and fewer opportunities for success. This research argues that strong community connections are essential because they improve education, health, and public safety by increasing trust, support, and engagement. 

 

One major way community connection impacts society is through education. The study “Community Schools as an Effective School Improvement Strategy” by Maier et al (2017) explains how schools that partner with families and communities create better outcomes for students.

The researchers describe community schools as having an integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth, and community development. This greatly supports the local community and increases engagement, and allows schools to address not only academic needs but also social challenges that affect students and adults. Many students face obstacles outside of school, such as poverty, lack of access to healthcare, or unstable home environments. Community schools work to reduce these barriers by providing resources and support systems directly within the school setting. Community schools have four pillars: integrated student support, expanded learning time and opportunities, family and community engagement, and collaborative leadership and practice. These pillars are the fundamentals of community schools’ success. In 2008, research found that schools implementing these teachings saw a 8.6% increase in graduation rate over 3 years and were 3.6% more likely to keep students in Communities In Schools (CIS). Then again, in 2017, they researched that CIS Schools increased graduation rates by 15.58% compared to non-CIS schools. 

CIS schools have also improved attendance and academic performance, and reduced the number of students committing crimes. This proves that education is determined not solely by what happens in the classroom but by the strength of the surrounding community. This shows that investing in education and local community support creates opportunities for success, safety, and a higher quality of life. 

 

Family involvement also plays a critical role in student achievement. The study “A New Wave of Evidence: The Impact of School, Family, and Community Connections in Student Achievement” by Henderson and Mapp (2002) highlights the importance of strong relationships between families and schools. The author explains that families can improve their children’s academic performance in school and have a major impact on attendance and behavior. 

Family involvement further strengthens educational outcomes.  When students see that their families invest in their education, they are more likely to work seriously and strive for success. Community involvement also reinforces the value of education by creating a culture that prioritizes learning and achievement. An example of this is when they found that students in Title 1 schools, “test scores between grades 3 and 5 was 50 percent higher for those students whose teachers and schools reported high levels of parent outreach early” (page 200)—further supporting the claim that community engagement is important for strong education. 

The study has also shown that programs should be designed to increase the ways parents interact with their children about academic achievement, and schools that have implemented such programs have better outcomes in attendance, academics, and performance. They identified three factors for a model of educational productivity: parent effort, instruction, and environment. If the school and the parent find a way to achieve these three, then the success of education and the quality of success is higher.  This shows that students benefit from having consistent support systems both at home and in school. Families and communities that work together create an environment that encourages positive outcomes. Strong community involvement is necessary to improve educational outcomes. 

 

The study, Community Schools: A Public Health Opportunity to Reverse Urban Cycles of Disadvantages, by Diamond and Freudenberg (2016), explains how community schools work in general and how they strengthen neighborhoods by providing access to essential services. To break the cycle of disadvantaged community schools, create a cycle of advantage that “promotes social processes that simultaneously improve health and educational outcomes”(page 924). The model below explains how community schools work and provide the cycle of advantage to improve academic outcomes and health/wellness, through their relationships with neighbors, schools, and the community. 

They explain how multiple school communities can build trust, establish norms, and link residents to improve health and educational outcomes. That helps create the cycle of advantage. 

 

As other studies have noted, providing these programs requires partnerships with local resources. They need either government funding or donations to provide services beyond the school.  School-based Health centers (SBHCs) are government-funded and partner with community schools. These programs often include services such as healthcare, mental health support, and nutrition programs, which address the needs of both students and their families. By connecting individuals to these sources, community schools help reduce inequities affected by poverty and improve overall community well-being. Creating opportunities for individuals to build relationships and support networks, which strengthen the community. 

 

Community connection also has the power to affect health. The study “Social Relationships and Mortality Risk: A Meta-analytic Review” by Holt et al demonstrates that social relationships have a direct impact on physical health. People who are socially connected are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors, seek medical care, and receive emotional support during difficult times. In contrast, people who feel isolated may do the opposite of experience higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. After recording data on over 300,000 individuals and tracking them for about a decade, they indicated that “individuals with adequate social relationships have a 50% greater likelihood of survival compared to those with poor or insufficient social relationships.” (Page 14). They equated the effect comparable to quitting smoking, and that having little to no social relationships is a risk for mortality, as obesity or physical inactivity are. Research has shown that negative relationships also lead to a greater risk of mortality, so the quality of relationships does matter.  The study also referred to a study about babies dying that had a lack of human contact. Adults are obviously not babies; we are still human. When receiving little to no human contact, we get sicker or die earlier than expected. Isolation or little to no social relationships can negatively impact both mental and physical health. Highlighting the importance of community connection in promoting overall well-being and improving quality of life. It proves that community connection is not optional and doesn’t just enhance quality of life; it is essential for long-term health and survival. 

 

Another important benefit of strong community relationships is increased public safety. According to a journal article, “Effect of Baltimore Safe Streets Program on Gun Violence: A replication of Chicago Cease Fire Program” by Webster et al. (2012), community-based interventions can reduce crime. The researchers found that these programs were associated with “reductions in homicide and nonfatal shooting incidents”. This suggests that community involvement can play a major role in preventing violence and improving safety. 

Unlike traditional law enforcement approaches, programs like Safe Streets focus on prevention rather than punishment. Outreach workers build relationships with individuals who are at risk of being involved in violence and help mediate conflicts before they escalate.

The mayor of Baltimore implemented similar programs. In 2025, Baltimore saw record-breaking numbers. According to Baltimore City records, the city saw “the largest year-over-year percentage decrease in homicides ever recorded” in 2025. Homicides and shootings declined 61%, non-fatal shootings declined 24%, the number of juvenile homicide victims declined 78% compared to 2024, and the police department seized over 2500 firearms. The city of Baltimore is experiencing 60% reduction in the number of people dying, which is the effect of Mayor Scott’s efforts to fix communities, restore youth centers, and enhance partnerships. Proving that when investing in community, the community will flourish not only in education but also in safety. 

 

Some may argue that community connection is not as important as other factors, such as individual responsibility in determining success in education, health, and public safety. They may believe that personal effort alone is enough for individuals to succeed, regardless of their environment. However, research clearly shows that this is not the case. Studies consistently demonstrate that individuals who lack strong social support systems are at a disadvantage regardless of their personal motivation. Without access to supportive communities, people are more likely to struggle academically, experience poorer health, and live in less safe environments. Therefore, while individual responsibility plays a role, it cannot replace the impact of strong community connections.   

In conclusion, research clearly shows that strong community connections improve education, health, and public safety. Communities that invest in relationships and support systems create environments where individuals can succeed and feel safe. The evidence from multiple studies demonstrates that community involvement leads to better academic outcomes, improved health, and reduced crime rates. In a time when many people feel disconnected, rebuilding community may be more important than ever. Meaningful change does not happen in isolation; change happens when people come together. 

 

References 

Beshay, M. (2025, May 8). How connected do Americans feel to their neighbors? Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/05/08/how-connected-do-americans-feel-to-their-neighbors/

Diamond, C., & Freudenberg, N. (2016). Community Schools: a Public Health Opportunity to Reverse Urban Cycles of Disadvantage. Journal of Urban Health, 93(6), 923–939. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-016-0082-5

Henderson, A. T., & Mapp, K. L. (2002). A new wave of evidence: The impact of school, family, and community connections on student achievement. Southwest Educational Development Laboratory. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED474521

 

Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., & Layton, J. B. (2010). Social Relationships and Mortality Risk: a Meta-analytic Review. PLoS Medicine, 7(7). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316

Maier, A., Daniel, J., Oakes, J., & Lam, L. (2017). Community schools as an effective school improvement strategy: A review of the evidence. Learning Policy Institute. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED606765

 

Mayor Brandon M. Scott Highlights Historic Reductions in Violent Crime in 2025 | Baltimore City. (2026, January 5). Baltimorecity.gov. https://www.baltimorecity.gov/mayor/news-media/press-releases/2026-01-05-mayor-brandon-m-scott-highlights-historic-reductions-in-violent-crime-in-2025

Webster, D. W., Whitehill, J. M., Vernick, J. S., & Curriero, F. C. (2012). Effects of Baltimore’s Safe Streets Program on Gun Violence: A Replication of Chicago’s CeaseFire Program. Journal of Urban Health, 90(1), 27–40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-012-9731-5

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References 

 

A New Wave of Evidence: The Impact of School, Family, and Community Connections on Student Achievement. Annual Synthesis, 2002.

https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED474521

 

Community Schools as an Effective School Improvement Strategy: A Review of the Evidence

https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED606765

 

Community Schools: a Public Health Opportunity to Reverse Urban Cycles of Disadvantage

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5126019/

 

Effects of Baltimore’s Safe Streets Program on Gun Violence: A Replication of Chicago’s CeaseFire Program

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11524-012-9731-5

 

How connected do Americans feel to their neighbors? https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/05/08/how-connected-do-americans-feel-to-their-neighbors/

Mayor Brandon M. Scott Highlights Historic Reductions in Violent Crime in 2025

https://www.baltimorecity.gov/mayor/news-media/press-releases/2026-01-05-mayor-brandon-m-scott-highlights-historic-reductions-in-violent-crime-in-2025

 

Social Relationships and Mortality Risk: A Meta-analytic Review

https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316