Jenn&Steve-10-11Guatamala_Trip(web)
Our Approach
Resident-led Community Change

Resident-led community change is a comprehensive approach to neighborhood strengthening that relies on the direction and decision-making of people who live in the community.

It is based on three core beliefs:
  • Residents have a living history in their community and understand its strengths and challenges better than anyone else;
  • Residents know best what is needed and will work to improve their community; and
  • Residents must own the change in their community for efforts to be sustained over time.
The approach goes beyond asking residents to weigh in on plans by providing a platform for shared decision-making among community stakeholders who come together to address issues of common concern. It is supported by an inclusive and democratic process that lifts up the voice of residents, builds the capacity of local leaders to grow naturally from their civic action, and gives space for a broad base of residents to take ownership of change in their community.

Resident-led community change is built on the knowledge, talent, and assets from people within the community. Residents guide the vision and planning, participate as partners in the work, share the responsibility and decision-making, benefit from the assets, and build the skills and abilities to maintain and sustain the revitalization of their community. Their efforts are supported by networks and partners that collectively have the experience, expertise and resources to accomplish revitalization goals and engage in learning relationships with a high level of sustained involvement.

Resident-led community change is both place-based and people-centered. Community not only refers to the defined geography, but also to the web of relationships through which people combine the will, wisdom, and know-how to address real issues and achieve lasting change.

Our four guideposts:
  • We start where you are and build on what you have.
  • We work in teams and carve out creative space for the natural problem-solving of people in their communities to emerge.
  • We use tools that engage people and are accessible, fast, participatory and fun.
  • We focus on the skills and process for moving quickly from plans to action.
We “work” on four fronts:
  • DreamWork -- the ability of people to envision a dynamic future for themselves, their families, their organizations, and their community
  • TeamWork -- the ability to form teams as a platform for learning and joint action on issues of common concern
  • NetWork -- the structure for bridging all stakeholders and managing growth in civic action
  • FrameWork -- the clear and simple container for action that connects the work and keeps it resident-centered, builds on natural momentum, promotes learning, and focuses on both rapid results and long-term change