One of the greatest civic acts we can commit to is rebuilding trust in each other, and rediscovering that which makes our country and its people so special. As our country reels from the coronavirus pandemic and police violence against Black Americans, all against the backdrop of a nation already in crisis from increased economic inequality, low voter turnout, and declining trust in government institutions, we need a path forward.

This month the nonpartisan American Academy of Arts and Sciences released just that in the form of 31 recommendations in their report, Our Common Purpose: Reinventing American Democracy for the 21^st Century. These recommendations were born out of over fifty listening sessions the Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship held to find out exactly what Americans wanted to see for their country. I was honored to be part of these sessions and deeply inspired by the vision my fellow Arizonans have for the future of our democracy.

When I think of the promise of America, I think of a lifetime of neighborly acts from my experience growing up in rural Arizona. My parents worked in the fields to support our family and were active pillars in our small community, even if they did not know it. My mother, for example, met the need for childcare among the other working families, so she cared for some of the neighborhood children during the day so their parents could work. As I recall this, I am reminded that today only 12 percent of Arizonans report knowing who their neighbors are.

If we can restore the health of our communities, we can restore the health of our democracy. One of the Academy’s strategies for moving our country forward is to strengthen the mechanisms which allow empowered citizens to engage fairly in our democracy, be it by voting, making their voices heard, or becoming more active in the community. My father represents a time when people had more trust in institutions, and as a child he would bring me to the polls so I could watch him vote – watch him stand up for our community.

The best thing I think we can do for our country right now, is get to know your neighbor. I of course also encourage you to look through the Academy’s report, register to vote, and get involved in your community but don’t leave your neighbors out of your civic journey – none of us can do this alone. If we as individuals expand our civic bridging capacity, how we connect with one another, we can reshape our democracy so citizens can better tackle our communities’ toughest challenges in a united effort.

The problems of today will not be solved from an ivory tower, or even an oval office. They will be solved in our communities. The America I know that so many Arizonans believe in, is within reach and we are living in a moment that could perpetuate real and lasting change. The issues we face are indeed daunting but finding your civic voice in this moment does not have to be grandiose.

It can be when you are at the polls of your next local election, attending a public council hearing, scrolling through the social media of your representatives, or volunteering to support a cause you care about. No matter, you will know the people you are building your community for.

This opinion piece David Martinez III, Vitalyst Director of Capacity Building and Community Engagement, is part of an occasional series from Vitalyst Staff and Trustees