Helping Kids Feel Like They Belong: The Power of Connection and Community

Helping Kids Feel Like They Belong: The Power of Connection and Community

In today’s fast-paced, tech-saturated world, young people are facing more challenges than ever before. Rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness are climbing, especially among kids and teens. One critical factor behind these struggles is a lack of belonging.

In a recent episode of Wedgwood’s Coffee Break Conversation, Judge Kathleen Feeney and Wedgwood Wraparound Supervisor Abish Israde joined host Hillary to talk about what it means for youth to feel seen, supported, and connected, and why belonging isn’t just important, it’s essential.

Why Belonging Matters

“Belonging is about knowing someone cares,” said Judge Feeney. “It’s knowing you’re connected to adults, peers, or your community.” That sense of connection fuels self-worth, confidence, and hope.

But when kids don’t feel like they belong, the consequences can be heartbreaking. Abish sees it firsthand in his work: youth who pull away, give up on themselves, or chase connection in harmful places. “Belonging is such a deep need,” he said. “Sometimes kids get involved in unsafe relationships or behaviors just to feel included somewhere.”

One Caring Adult Makes All the Difference

Both Judge Feeney and Abish agree that sometimes all it takes is one trusted adult to change a child’s life. A coach, a teacher, a neighbor, or a wraparound coordinator who shows up consistently can help a young person feel seen, capable, and valuable.

“We all have the opportunity to be someone’s permanent adult,” said Feeney. “That doesn’t mean adoption, it means being someone they can call when their car breaks down, when they’re scared, or when they need encouragement. That kind of stability can completely change the course of a young person’s life.”

Signs a Child May Be Struggling with Belonging

Kids often won’t come right out and say they don’t feel like they belong. Instead, it might look like:

• Withdrawing from activities they once enjoyed

• Declining school attendance or academic performance

• Isolating behind screens or on social media

• Joining risky peer groups

• Expressing hopelessness or giving up on goals

Abish emphasized the importance of paying attention and offering consistent support. “Sometimes it’s not about solving their problem immediately, it’s just about showing up and following through. That’s how trust is built.”

What Can Adults Do?

Judge Feeney shared a simple but powerful framework: Invite. Inspire. Imagine.

• Invite a young person into your life. Ask them to join you for ice cream, a walk, or a game night. Let them know they’re welcome in your world.

• Inspire them by helping them explore their interests. Whether it’s art, cooking, sports, or video games, find out what lights them up.

• Imagine how to connect those interests to the wider community. Maybe it’s a volunteer opportunity, a club, or a class where they can meet others who share their passions.

“You don’t have to have all the answers,” said Abish. “You just have to be willing to be in it with them.”

Supporting Caregivers Too

Wedgwood’s wraparound services don’t stop at helping kids. Caregivers are often navigating their own challenges and deserve support, encouragement, and space to process.

“It’s okay for parents to say they don’t have it all figured out,” said Hillary. “What matters is showing up, trying, and being honest about the hard stuff.”

What Changes When a Child Feels They Belong?

Everything.

Belonging boosts resilience, confidence, and hope. It encourages kids to strive, to dream, and to bounce back after setbacks. As Judge Feeney shared, the biggest predictor of lifelong success isn’t IQ or test scores, it’s grit. And grit grows in kids who are supported and believed in.

“These kids have their whole lives ahead of them,” she said. “We just have to help them see it.”

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If you or a child in your life is struggling with belonging, connection, or emotional well-being, know you’re not alone. Wedgwood’s counseling services are here to help. Learn more and get connected at wedgwood.org/counseling.

Let’s build a community where every child knows they matter, and where healing begins with belonging.