6 Points of Connection
Social connection, more than any other factor, predicts our health, happiness, longevity, and ability to live harmoniously amongst those different from ourselves. But what exactly does it mean, and how do we intentionally cultivate it?
The U.S. Chamber of Connection created the 6 Points of Connection as a clear and actionable checklist for individuals and leaders to define and strengthen social bonds. Grounded in extensive research across fields like psychology, healthcare, sociology, and urban planning, these six points address the core elements of social connection: safety, emotional bonding, bridging social divides, and civic engagement.
Individuals
This checklist is your blueprint for a thriving, connected life. Use it to assess your current social connections and make intentional choices to invest in meaningful activities and relationships.
Leaders
Whether you lead in business, education, or government, this checklist offers a strategic framework for measuring and fostering social connection. Focus your efforts on cultivating strong social networks among employees, students, and communities to create environments where everyone can thrive.
First Point of Connection
Neighbor
Emergency
Contact
Having a neighbor to rely on in emergencies is crucial for personal well-being and fosters safer, more connected communities. Neighbors play a critical role in healthy communities and are critical to individual and neighborhood resilience. Neighbors support each other by house-sitting, pet-sitting, or simply being a trusted contact in emergencies. This is critical for everyone but particularly in lower income communities where paying for help may not be possible.
According to PEW Research, a third of Amercians don’t know any of their neighbors and 45% report not having any interaction with their neighbors. Without regular interactions with neighbors it is hard to feel safe where you live and to feel like you belong.
Second Point of Connection
Community of Identity
Belonging to a community with a shared identity is one of the most effective ways to foster deep, meaningful connections. People feel most comfortable, understood, and supported in groups where they share core aspects of their identity—such as race, gender, or culture. Research shows that 63% of U.S. adults say most of their close friends share their race or ethnicity, highlighting how shared identity helps build trust and belonging. Similarly, 34% of multiracial individuals report feeling a strong bond with those who share their specific racial background. These connections provide more than just social bonds; they also offer emotional security and a deeper sense of community.
These identity-based communities are often centered around characteristics like gender, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. For instance, people might join women’s leadership networks, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, or cultural associations that reflect their personal experiences and values. Other avenues include religious organizations, professional networks, and alumni associations, offering spaces where individuals can build meaningful relationships through shared experiences.
However, merely being aware or passively engaged isn’t enough to experience the full benefits of belonging. To reap the rewards of emotional well-being and a strong sense of connection, individuals must engage actively with the community. This means building reciprocal relationships, participating in activities, and feeling emotionally connected to others in the group. Those who lack identity-based connections are more prone to mental health challenges and dissatisfaction. Seeking out communities aligned with one’s identity—whether through local events, professional groups, or social organizations—can significantly improve emotional well-being and provide a lasting sense of belonging.
Third Point of Connection
1:1 Weekly Social Interactions
To maintain emotional well-being, people need at least two meaningful social interactions outside of work and their household each week. These interactions offer emotional support, reduce stress, and foster a sense of connection. Strong social ties are one of the most significant predictors of long-term happiness and health.
However, many people are not meeting this threshold. A study from Ipsos found that only 53% of adults report having daily in-person interactions, while 29% report meaningful social interactions on a weekly basis. This leaves a significant portion of people—nearly one in five—without regular, meaningful social contact, which increases their risk of loneliness, anxiety, and emotional distress.
A key part of these interactions is having true friends—people with whom you share positive, consistent, and vulnerable interactions. True friendship goes beyond casual interactions, involving emotional openness and mutual trust. Vulnerability in friendships allows for deeper connections, as sharing personal challenges and feelings fosters greater understanding and support. Consistent, positive interactions strengthen these bonds over time, building a strong foundation for emotional resilience.
These interactions don’t have to be formal or structured. Simple moments, such as meeting a friend for coffee or having a heart-to-heart conversation, can provide the emotional connection needed to maintain well-being. Those who have regular, meaningful interactions report lower levels of loneliness, better mental health, and greater life satisfaction.
In today’s world of remote work and digital communication, it’s crucial to prioritize in-person connections. By ensuring at least two meaningful interactions per week, individuals can build stronger relationships and foster lasting emotional well-being.
Fourth Point of Connection
Third Place
Having a "third place"—a space outside of work and home for social interaction—is crucial for emotional and social well-being. A third place, whether a café, park, gym, or community center, provides a neutral and informal setting where people can build social connections and reduce feelings of isolation. Research shows that people who regularly engage in third places report lower levels of loneliness and greater life satisfaction. In fact, a Pew Research Center study found that 52% of Americans say they attend a social or recreational gathering place at least monthly. Additionally, 74% of Americans believe that community gathering places are important for fostering relationships and strengthening neighborhoods.
Third places are valuable because they offer a routine way to engage with others in a relaxed environment. Regular visits allow for both casual conversations and meaningful connections, often leading to a greater sense of belonging. These spaces also promote bridging social capital, which refers to connections made between people from different backgrounds. This helps build a more diverse and supportive social network, which has been shown to improve mental health and lower stress levels.
Without a regular third place, individuals may rely solely on home and work for social fulfillment, which can lead to feelings of isolation. Making time for a third place—whether it’s a favorite coffee shop or a local park—can significantly enhance social bonds, reduce stress, and create a stronger sense of community. Regularly integrating a third place into your life fosters lasting emotional well-being and connection.
Fifth Point of Connection
Activity Community
Finding a community around a shared passion or activity is a powerful way to build bridging social capital, as it creates opportunities for people to connect across social, cultural, or economic boundaries. These communities allow individuals to engage in meaningful interactions based on mutual interests—whether it's sports, fitness, art, or hobbies—while fostering connections with people from diverse backgrounds. According to a study by the American Sociological Association, participation in organized activities, such as recreational sports leagues, significantly increases opportunities for bridging connections, helping individuals understand and connect with others who may be different from them.
Only 57% of Americans participate in some form of community group, such as sports leagues, or hobby clubs. However, this still leaves a large portion of people without these important social connections. Moreover, only 50% of Americans regularly engage in outdoor or recreational activities.
For men in particular, engaging in activities is often the primary way they form social bonds. Men are more likely to connect through shared activities rather than emotional conversations, using things like sports, hiking, or gaming as social outlets. These shared activities provide an environment where men can build relationships while focusing on a common goal, reducing feelings of isolation and improving overall mental well-being.
Without a shared activity, individuals, especially men, may miss out on opportunities to build meaningful social connections. By joining a group that meets regularly for an activity—whether it's a sports team, a fitness class, or a hobby-based group—individuals can create strong social networks that not only provide support but also expose them to new perspectives and experiences. These interactions are key for emotional well-being and for building a broader, more diverse social circle.
Sixth Point of Connection
Community Service
Engaging in community service not only boosts individual well-being but also strengthens every part of society. Volunteering has been shown to reduce stress, enhance life satisfaction, and promote mental health. Those who regularly serve others report higher levels of happiness and fulfillment, often experiencing a “helper’s high” from contributing positively to their community.
According to a study by the Corporation for National and Community Service, people with strong social networks are significantly more likely to volunteer. Data shows that 50% of those who volunteer frequently have robust social ties, whereas only 19% of individuals with limited social networks volunteer regularly. Volunteering not only enhances social well-being but also strengthens the volunteer’s connection to their community.
Beyond personal benefits, service fosters bridging social capital, which creates connections across social, racial, and economic divides. This form of engagement helps build a more cohesive and inclusive society by encouraging people to interact with diverse groups. For example, volunteering with a community garden in a mixed-income neighborhood or serving at a soup kitchen that caters to individuals from different socioeconomic backgrounds creates opportunities for people to connect and collaborate with those outside of their immediate circles. These activities break down barriers and promote mutual understanding.
Unfortunately, community service participation has been on the decline. In 2019, about 30% of Americans volunteered, but these numbers dropped during the pandemic and have not fully rebounded. This decline has broader implications for civic engagement—volunteers are more likely to be active in voting, local politics, and community advocacy, meaning that lower participation rates can weaken the democratic process and social cohesion.
Taking ownership of one’s community through service is essential for fostering a stronger, more connected society. Ideal forms of service that build bridging connections include mentoring programs that pair adults with youth from underserved communities, or joining interfaith coalitions that work on common causes like homelessness or food insecurity. These types of service help create stronger social bonds, deepen empathy, and promote a sense of collective responsibility for the well-being of every part of the community.
Taking Action
Now is the time to take action. Use this six-point checklist to intentionally design a life filled with meaningful social connections and purpose for yourself. Take stock of how you are doing on each of the six items and prioritize where you want to invest in connection in the next month and year.
For leaders—whether in schools, companies, or local governments—this checklist is a tool to create thriving communities. By building systems, skills, and measurement strategies that promote social engagement, you help ensure that employees, students, and citizens have access to the relationships and networks that foster well-being and resilience. Whether through workplace initiatives, educational programs, or public spaces, integrating these six points can lead to healthier, more connected environments where everyone has the chance to thrive.