Volunteering Helps Widen Community Connections

Columnist Susan Deitz encourages single people to get involved in their local communities.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 7:00am

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In her latest column, Susan Deitz discusses how volunteering and getting involved in community organizations can help single people expand their social circles and find purpose beyond just their personal concerns. Deitz argues that volunteering allows people to define themselves in positive ways beyond just their marital status, and can lead to the development of meaningful friendships and relationships.

Why it matters

Deitz's advice is relevant for single people who may feel isolated or overly focused on their own personal lives. By encouraging volunteerism and community involvement, she shows how single people can find fulfillment, build connections, and contribute to the greater good.

The details

Deitz suggests that single people can get involved with voluntary organizations, international agencies, hotlines for battered women's shelters, or efforts to raise awareness about global issues like hunger. She notes that volunteering can boost self-esteem and help people move beyond self-absorption. Deitz also points out that volunteering is no longer seen as just "women's work," and that many successful friendships and marriages have sprung from people working together for a common cause.

  • Deitz's column was published on March 11, 2026.

The players

Susan Deitz

A columnist who writes about issues related to single life and relationships.

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What they’re saying

“Positive actions radiate far beyond their originator, you know. And the world could certainly use more love! Sharing yours makes you part of the sea of helpfulness around all of us.”

— Susan Deitz, Columnist

“More than anything else I know, moving beyond personal concerns to work at bettering someone else's life is an unfailing solution to the absorption-with-navel syndrome that can creep into the life of someone living on his or her own.”

— Susan Deitz, Columnist

What’s next

In her next column, Deitz plans to provide more specific advice on how single people can get started with volunteering.

The takeaway

Deitz's column highlights how volunteering and community involvement can help single people expand their social circles, find purpose, and make meaningful connections beyond just their personal lives.