The New Washington Community Development Case Study

Asset map

Amplifying Talents and Strategies for Capacity Building

The New Washington citizen’s associations have a vital role in developing their neighbors’ skills and abilities. The presence of civic groups and clubs implies that the community can engage in personal empowerment programs. For example, the united youth club can bring all youth together, identify their talents, and nurture entrepreneurial ventures. The first step in building capacity for community development is asset identification, which entails recognizing the resources available to the people (García, 2020). The second step involves selecting a suitable method for inclusive community development approaches. In this case, the New Washington leaders can involve stakeholders from the youth, business persons, religious leaders, and retired people to brainstorm how to harness the community’s resources.

Problems and Strategies for Developing Solutions

There are two main problems affecting the New Washington residents; lack of recreation facilities and budgetary constraints. These problems can be addressed by developing a shared vision for community empowerment. Business owners can endeavor to pay taxes and employ idle youth to limit their chances of causing a nuisance in the community (García, 2020). The local associations, such as the Divas of Distinction, can develop programs to teach the youth life skills and instill a sense of purpose. The community leaders can source for grants from the federal government or invite outside investors to help develop the community’s recreation centers.

Summary

Communities are endowed with various resources and capacities that can be utilized for social welfare improvement. Local leaders are responsible for identifying available assets and developing strategies for their application. Local institutions exist to support citizen’s associations and provide platforms for people to grow their talents and skills. The case of the New Washington community provides an example of how asset maps can be used to indicate the current problems and aid in identifying the best strategies for community development.

Reference

García, I. (2020). Asset-based community development (ABCD): Core principles. In Research Handbook on community development. Edward Elgar Publishing.