Tools
1.
An introduction to community capacity mapping
| 2
.A primer on facilitation | 3
.An introduction to community problem solving
1. Introduction To Community Capacity
Mapping
Wherever there are effective
community development efforts, those efforts are based on
an understanding, or map, of the community’s assets, capacities
and abilities.
Each community boasts a unique
combination of assets upon which to build its future. A thorough
map of those assets would begin with an inventory of the gifts,
skills and capacities of the community’s residents. In a community
whose assets are being fully recognized and
mobilized, all people will be part of the action, not as clients
or recipients of services, but
as full contributors to the community-building process.
In addition to mapping the gifts
and skills of individuals, households and families, community-building
initiatives can compile an inventory of citizens’ associations.
These associations, less formal
and dependent on paid staff than formal institutions, are
the vehicles through which citizens
assemble to solve problems, or to share common interests and
activities. These groups
are indispensable tools for community development.
Beyond the individuals and local
associations that make up the asset base of communities are
all of the more formal institutions which are located in the
community. Private businesses, public institutions such as
schools, libraries, parks, police and fire stations, non-profit
institutions such as hospitals and social service agencies
-- these organizations make up the most visible and formal
part of a community’s fabric.
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There are several excellent internet
and written resources available to guide community members
through the process of recognizing and mapping community assets,
and mobilizing those assets to bring about positive change
in the community. You can refer to the following resources
for more detailed information on community mapping:
A Guide to Capacity Inventories:
Mobilizing the Community Skills of Local Residents.
Kretzman, J., McKnight, J. and Sheehan, JACTA Publications,
4848 North Clark St., Chicago, IL, 6064O.Tel I-800-397-2282.
http://www.northwestern.edu/IPR/publications/capinv.html
This book provides eleven
clear examples of capacity inventories developed and used
by different communities across the United States as well
as practical reasons and valuable tips for conducting
and using capacity inventories in your community.
Asset Based Community Development
- North Victoria Healthy Communities Coalition
http://www.nexicom.net/~nvhcc
This website provides templates
that can be used by any group to map the individual, community
and economic assets present in their community. The site
also contains a number of examples that will be helpful
to for those who are new to asset mapping to follow.
Building communities from
the inside out: A path toward finding and mobilizing a community’s
assets. Kreaman, J. McKnight, J. Chicago: ACTA Publications
,ACTA Publications, 4848 North Clark St., Chicago, IL, 6064O.Tel
I-800-397-2282. http://www.northwestern.edu/IPR/publications/buildingblurb.html,
1993.
This non-traditional yet
practical guide to the process of building communities
is reflective of the values of mental health promotion.
Based on a five-step process for "asset-based community
development", the book presents a positive approach
by focusing on locating the assets, skills and capacities
of community members and organizations. It provides a
contrast to a more traditional approach (which focuses
on needs, problems and deficits) and suggests a number
of limitations to this earlier model.
Community Tool Box Part B, Chapter
3, Section 8: Identifying Community Assets - http://ctb.lsi.ukans.edu/tools/en/sub_section_main_1043.htm
This chapter summarizes the
capacity building approach by highlighting the different
assets that are present in each community, and discussing
ways of mapping and accessing those assets.
Mapping Community Resources
- http://www.ctcnet.org/ch2.htm
An interesting article that
describes a community mapping project and the process
used to develop assets. The article is based on the work
of the Community Technology Centre Network
(CTCNet), whose Reseach and Evaluation Team conducted
a community mapping project in the Boston area.
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