How do you build a bridge between children and young people who are labelled by their disabilities into the centre of community life? How do you build hospitable communities where such bridge building is common place? These are the questions we address in this presentation through the lens of Asset Based Community Development.
22. Power to Change “ Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has .” Margaret Mead
23. Neighborhoods Needs Map Graffiti Environmental pollution Unemployment Gangs Literacy challenges Early School Leaving Broken Families Poor Housing Joy riding Drug Dealing Crime Disability
24.
25. ‘ You can’t know what you need, till you know what you have…’
26. A Sample Community Asset Map Individuals Gifts, Skills, Capacities, Knowledge and Traits of Youth Older Adults Artists People with Disabilities Students Parents Entrepreneurs Activists Institutions Schools Universities Community Colleges Police Departments Hospitals Libraries Social Service Agencies Non Profits Museums Fire Departments Foundations Physical Space Gardens Parks Playgrounds Parking Lots Walking Paths Forests/Forest Preserves Picnic Areas Campsites Fishing Spots Stories Of background and personal history Of what you like to do and contribute Of existing and ongoing skills and capacities Of successful community development Of economic growth Of addressing discrimination Of including those who are marginalized Of recognizing the value of everyone Of a time when you or your group felt appreciated and valued Of a time the community was at its best Local Economy For-Profit Businesses Consumer Expenditures Merchants Chamber of Commerce Business Associations Banks Foundations Institutional-Purchasing Power and Personnel Micro enterprises Local Coops Corporations and Branches Animal Care Groups Anti Crime Groups Residents Assoc Business Organizations Charitable Groups Civic Events Groups Cultural Groups Education Groups Elderly Groups Environmental Groups Family Support Groups Health Advocacy and Fitness Groups Heritage Groups Hobby and Collectors Groups Men’s Groups Mentoring Groups Mutual Support Groups Neighborhood Improvement Groups Political Organizations Recreation Groups Religious Groups Service Clubs Social Groups Union Groups Women’s Groups Youth Groups Associations My Community My Community
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32. Person Centered Work The move is from services to clients to supports for citizens Community Centered Work Inclusion
33.
34. Tips on Working with Neighborhoods Ways that inhibit engagement How we work differently with neighborhoods and residents We know who to contact by position We have to research who to contact (sometimes it is not obvious) We give them timelines and deadlines We ask them to give us a reasonable time frame We write things up – give them memos and job descriptions We meet with them and have face to face conversations (preferably in their community) We often take the lead in projects We need to allow the neighborhood to lead us We set up meetings during the day We go to meetings at nights or on the weekends and when appropriate help to figure out childcare and transportation
35. Tips (cont.) Adapted from Untied Way of Metro Atlanta We offer a list of possible roles for our organization We ask how our organization can be most helpful We use our leadership structure to help us make relationships We look to current relationships to help introduce us into new communities We manage projects We negotiate our role, offer suggestions and learn to be flexible We reach our objectives in a way that is most efficient We follow the lead of residents with patience, as work takes much longer, is not efficient, often involves several players and lots of twists and turns We assume authority is in the person with positional power Authority rests in the one with the most relationships
38. The 5 Ds Process of Strength Based Community Work D1- DISCOVER D2 - DREAM D3-DESIGN D1- We have done it before. D2 – We have a vision for our future. D3 – We agree on what could be done. D4 – We have a list of our resources to draw from. D5 – action plan & start implementing it. D5 – DELIVER/DO IT D4 -DEFINE
Is the solution to the current crisis to found in reflecting on how to save our services? Are service not like lighthouses? Instead of bemoaning the fact that we cannot create centres of excellence anymore, maybe we should be thinking about how we can support more communities of belonging, instead of reflecting on the future of our centres maybe we do need to go out to sea
And what might strengths based thinking and ABCD have to offer???
In our work on the ground we see the need based approach applied not just applied to individuals but also to communities
Like this man we need to know what we have within and around us before we can meaningfully leverage in what we need from outside. And by meaningfully I mean securing what need while not paying with our autonomy, belonging or sense of competence.
The asset based approach starts with a focus on the strengths it recognises the truth that the map is not the territory and that the glass is both half full and half empty at the same time