The Connection Crisis:What It Is, Why It Matters, and How Volunteering Can Help

Loneliness, disconnection, and social fragmentation are becoming defining challenges of our time. This thought-provoking webinar explores the neuroscience of connection, the social impact of declining trust, and the role corporate volunteering can play in rebuilding human bonds. Featuring insights from award-winning social entrepreneur Aaron Hurst and Goodera’s Alissa May, the session reveals a framework for designing volunteering experiences that foster belonging, shared purpose, and emotional well-being.

What You’ll Learn:
1. The biological and psychological science behind connection and why humans are wired for community.
2. How declining trust and rising loneliness are impacting society, workplaces, and the global economy.
3. Six foundational structures people need to sustain meaningful connection.
4. How well-facilitated volunteering programs foster empathy, reflection, and purpose.
5. The role of service in bridging divides and rebuilding thriving communities.

Key Highlights:
Aaron Hurst, Founder of the US Chamber of Connection traces the connection crisis to both evolutionary science and current societal trends.
Human beings evolved to survive in tribes, where connection was necessary for safety and caregiving. Without connection, empathy collapses and biological functioning deteriorates.
Disconnection today is structural, not accidental. Society is experiencing reduced trust, shorter lifespan indicators, and a breakdown of communal norms.
Research shows six structural needs required for sustained personal and community thriving:
A reliable neighborhood contact
A community sharing identity
Weekly 1:1 interactions
A third place outside work and home
A community of play
Service or community contribution
These needs appear in every era of human history and remain universal.
Service is uniquely positioned to rebuild trust and mutuality because it forces individuals to engage across differences and share meaningful experiences.

Alissa May, Vice President of Impact at Goodera, demonstrates how volunteering experiences can intentionally cultivate emotional connection.
A volunteering session follows a consistent emotional arc: initial excitement, empathetic discomfort, confusion, clarity, and reflection-driven fulfillment.
Hosts and facilitators play a critical role. They create reflective spaces that trigger oxytocin and dopamine, solidifying bonds between participants and communities served.
Volunteering Re:Connected is designed to use service as a scalable solution to rebuild social connection. In two pilot events, over 150 people across New York and the Bay Area co-created ideas for the future of corporate volunteering.
Corporate volunteering is trending because people crave meaningful conversations, shared identity, and opportunities to bridge divides. 70 percent of surveyed Americans want more opportunities to connect locally, and 66 percent prefer structured spaces that promote engagement.

You Can Further Look Into:
1. Volunteering Re:Connected Report
A foundational document outlining shared language, metrics, and multi-year collaboration to close the connection gap.
https://www.goodera.com/events/volunt...

Harness the power of service to rebuild a sense of belonging. Corporate volunteering is not only a way to give back, it is a pathway to resilience, emotional well-being, and stronger communities. Like, subscribe, and visit Goodera: www.goodera.com to unlock tools, resources, and expert-led sessions that elevate your impact.

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