We Belong Here

Being connected to others is critical to our well-being. When we belong, we feel like we are a part of our communities, that we matter, and that people care about us.

To see each other as fully human is an inherent value to belonging. We Belong Here seeks to bridge across differences with empathy and the realization that we are more alike than we are different. It will not be easy, and we may stumble, but we know that a community for all is better than a community for some.

Relationships are foundational to the work of Civic Commons, and these connections start with belonging. Without belonging, it is impossible to build the civic muscle we need to address our region’s biggest challenges and inequities.

WE FOCUS OUR work in belonging on three projects: 

The Greater Seattle Compact for Belonging is a living document that calls on everyone to live out the values of belonging by following four practices: conversations, advocacy, community and personal growth. Launched in 2022, the Belonging Compact is the result of years of community outreach, belonging gatherings and one-on-one conversations. It is a place for individuals and organizations to publicly commit to helping Civic Commons achieve our community-backed vision for belonging. Learn more and add your name to the compact at webelonghere.org.  

The We Belong Here podcast features regular conversations between We Belong Here project director Frank Nam and community stewards who are working to bring about a Greater Seattle region where everyone thrives and everyone belongs. Listen and subscribe at civic-commons.org or on your favorite podcast platform.  

The Belonging Gathering is a Seattle-based belonging summit featuring a combination of experiential learning, facilitated dialogue, collective art and storytelling activities. The Belonging Gathering encourages attendees to explore their own experiences with belonging and learn from the experiences and ideas of others.