The Weight of Advocacy: Why Our Community Advocates Need Us Too
Community advocates are often the ones who rise first and rest last. They’re the voices at public meetings, the hands behind neighborhood events, the connectors who make sure information flows where it needs to go. They are the people who, when something happens in the community, you instinctively turn to because they always seem to have an answer, a plan, or a resource to share.
Their dedication is a gift. But it’s also a heavy burden.
The Hidden Cost of Advocacy
What we don’t always see is the personal cost that comes with being “the reliable one.” The hours given freely, the stress absorbed silently, and the pressure to constantly show up can quickly lead to burnout. And because advocates so often look strong and steady, it’s easy to assume they’re fine—that they don’t need help.
The truth? They almost always do.
A Personal Reflection
Speaking personally, this is one of the reasons that after 11 years living east of the river, I made the decision to move west of the river. My work/life balance had become almost non-existent. With so much need and so many projects in my immediate community, it was difficult to give myself space to decompress.
It’s been a long battle, and honestly, I seem to bring this sense of community-building wherever I go. These days, I’m even referred to as “the mayor of the building” where I live now. The difference is that I’m learning how to set boundaries and manage my own expectations. I can’t do it all—and I can’t do it alone. And sometimes, I shouldn’t do it at all. I need to leave space and opportunity for someone else to show up.
Rethinking Our Role in Community Work
If you’ve found yourself leaning on the work of a community advocate—benefiting from the events they organize, the resources they share, or the doors they open—it’s worth asking: am I also contributing to their ability to keep going?
Support doesn’t have to mean stepping into the spotlight. It can be as simple as:
Offering your time to help with logistics.
Volunteering to make calls or send emails.
Asking what do you need most right now?—and then following through.
Recognizing their work publicly, so they’re not always doing the advocacy alone.
Building a Culture of Shared Responsibility
Advocacy is at its best when it’s collective, not concentrated. When we allow the weight to rest on just a few shoulders, we risk losing the very people who make our communities stronger. By stepping up—even in small ways—we make it possible for our advocates to keep leading without sacrificing their well-being.
Because at the end of the day, strong communities aren’t built by a handful of tireless individuals. They’re built by many people sharing the responsibility, the work, and the care it takes to keep us connected.
👉 This week, check in with your neighborhood advocate. Ask what they need—and be ready to help.