My name is Jeff Chapman, and while I've been a farmer and musician, I have come to see myself as a community builder. Since last year, every Wednesday I've offered to teach guitar at the Edgewood Senior Center.

What began as a handful of people trying something new has grown into a circle of friends who show up not just for music, but for each other. We, as a class, have created a consistent place where people belong. The guitar lessons are important, but they're really just a vehicle for what matters most: community and creativity. The problem I hope to solve is the loneliness and disconnection so many older adults face, especially in rural areas. What I get most out of volunteering is joy. I see friendships forming and people surprising themselves with what they can do. And I get to be a part of something I believe in deeply - that community is the real music.