Our Commitment to Connection: Responding to the Global Loneliness Crisis

The latest report from the World Health Organization (WHO) Commission on Social Connection confirms what we at VillageCo have deeply understood since our inception: loneliness is a global health epidemic. Released on June 30, 2025, this pivotal report underscores the urgent need for meaningful social connection, directly validating the core of our mission.

Here's how the WHO's key findings resonate with our work and strengthen our resolve:

• We're Tackling a Global Health Challenge: The WHO report reveals that 1 in 6 people worldwide are affected by loneliness, with profound implications for health—from increased risks of heart disease and stroke to a doubling of depression rates. We founded VillageCo in 2020 specifically because we saw this crisis escalating, particularly during the pandemic. Our work is a direct response to this widespread public health threat, aiming to mend the social fabric one connection at a time.

• We Believe in the Power of Connection for Health: The WHO emphasizes that strong social connections are fundamental for better health and a longer life, fostering mental well-being and preventing premature death. This is exactly why we exist. Our vision is a world where everyone experiences a deep sense of belonging within their local community, and we provide the tools and practices to make these vital connections flourish.

• We're Building Essential Community Infrastructure: The report highlights how inadequate community structures contribute to loneliness. This insight drives our strategy. We actively empower individuals and groups to form "Villages" within their neighborhoods, workplaces, and families. By doing this, we're not just fostering individual connections; we're building the essential local infrastructure that counters isolation and nurtures a sense of collective well-being.

• We're Integrating Connection Where It's Needed Most: The WHO calls for social connection to be woven into every aspect of society. Our approach champions this by focusing on grassroots, community-led initiatives. We provide the practical framework for people to gather, share, and take on roles within their local groups, embedding meaningful social connections directly into the fabric of everyday life, just as the WHO advocates.

We are more committed than ever to our mission. The WHO's report is a powerful affirmation that by building stronger communities, we are directly contributing to a healthier, more connected world.

You can find more details about the WHO's findings in their news release on Social connection linked to improved health and reduced risk of early death and the full report on From loneliness to social connection: charting a path to healthier societies - report of the WHO Commission on Social Connection. 

Join us for a fun program and an evening to remember with a goal of raising funds to support our work through 2026

Harvest takes place in the evening in Seattle at the Fremont Abbey, in Boise at the Hyde Park Mennonite Fellowship, and online via the Virtual Lounge.  At Harvest we bring together Villagers from around the world for an evening of fun, connection, and opportunities to help sustain the nonprofit behind Village, VillageCo.

RSVP For the Harvest Here!