I took time this week to reflect on how civic engagement impacts the community. Although already involved in my community through student organizations and volunteer experiences, City Year Columbus made me dig a little deeper.

City Year’s values are characteristics that contribute to a thriving community and advocate civic engagement. One of the most meaningful is Ubuntu. Ubuntu is a term from the South African Zulu tribe meaning “I am a person through other people; my humanity is tied to yours.” I like this concept because it means we are all connected to one another through interdependent relationships and our humanity is reflected in others. In the digital age where misinformation spreads like wildfire, people lack the ability to interact offline, and our world is becoming ever more polarized; It’s important to remember we all share the same fate.

I have previously learned about the relationship between civic engagement and self-efficacy in a psychology class. When people believe their actions have influence over outcomes, they are more likely to be involved in the community leading to increased self-efficacy and a self-perpetuating cycle. City Year’s value “belief in the power of young people” encourages believing in the potential of young people to transform the world. Young people are full of energy and idealism that fuels their self-efficacy which turns to civic engagement. It is then our duty to do the best we can for the future generation.

My marketing professor once gave me a piece of life advice that relates to City Year’s value “service to a cause greater than self.” He said that to feel happy in life you must discover your “why.” What drives you as a person? If you only seek superficial fulfillment, you will never be satisfied. Instead, your time, energy and effort should be dedicated to a greater purpose. We must put aside our ego and our differences to unite and achieve a common goal.

City Year’s values demonstrate the power of community, and my experience has taught me the importance of civic engagement. I hope in the future I will continue to expand on these ideas.