"Human cleverness, desires, motivations, imagination, and creativity are replacing
location, natural resources, and market access as urban resources. The creativity of those who live in and run cities will determine future successes."
- Charles Landry (as quoted in Tom Borrup's The Creative Community Builder's Handbook)
Neighborhoods, towns and cities have people, relationships, institutions, and cultural, physical and economic resources that contribute to the functioning of community life. Identifying these resources within a community helps define our concept of a community's wealth (Dorfman, 1999). Community developers build from the strengths identified in a community for meaningful and effective transformation. The following chart lists some of the assets within my community of Roxborough as related to the protection and well-being of children. The assets listed within the circle are present within Roxborough. The assets listed outside of the circle are identified assets that exist in neighboring communities.
assets for children in community building in roxborough
After resources are identified within a community, an important next step is creating an asset map. This visual tool helps the creative community developer to connect "vital artistic resources to the other segments of community assets", such as parks, businesses, and schools (Corbitt & Nix-Early, 2003, p. 171). My asset map of Roxborough visualizes the interconnectedness of available resources within the geographical boundaries of my community.
asset map of roxborough
Following an asset-based approach to community development, I believe Roxborough can be convinced of its "ability to be self-determining and to solve its problems with resources from within" (Corbitt & Nix-Early, 2003, p. 171). Below is an edited list of existing community assets and how I imagine they can be used for the well-being of Roxborough's youth.
COMMUNITY ASSETS USED Friends of Gorgas Park (FOGP) Local schools Local religious institutions/organizations Local culture-makers | CHILD PROTECTION PROJECT IDEAS Work with FOGP to expand current cultural community programming. Maintain a clean, inviting, safe place for children to socialize and play, experience nature, and be physically active. Add free programs for children that involve creative arts and physical fitness. Enhance safety and learning in local schools. Offer arts-based after-school programs that help children express themselves creatively thus building confidence, increasing problem-solving skills, fostering hope for the future. Increase outreach to local children and youth by promoting events, Vacation Bible Schools, and youth groups that create a spiritual community. Spiritual development would be fostered in a fun, safe, engaging environment with caring faith mentors. Encourage creative individuals in the community (visual artists, actors, musicians, etc) to offer their time and talents for community programs such as workshops and classes at MRAC, after-school activities, Schuylkill Valley Nature Center programming, and community events at Gorgas Park. |
A community is enriched by: individuals who offer time and skills, relationships that nurture a strong social fabric, local institutions and places that add to the unique of community setting, physical resources that define the community's geography, economic resources that exist to support the health of the local business market, and cultural resources that define the "long-term customs, behaviors, and activities that have meaning to individuals and to the community" (Best Practice Briefs, 1998, p.3). Exploring these assets within Roxborough was an eye-opening practice for me. Since I still consider myself relatively new to this community, I had to do a lot of investigating in areas such as economic and institutional assets. I realized there is much more to Roxborough than meets the eye! I am now able to practically envision how various resources in Roxborough can be used to create a safe community for children. I have hope for the future of my community; I see "the glass" as half-full. I believe my neighbors can be mobilized to realize the potential for a more safe and culturally-rich community for themselves and their children.
REFERENCES
Best Practice Briefs, No. 4. (1999). Outreach Partners. Michigan State University. Retrieved July 7, 2014, from http://outreach.msu.edu/bpbriefs/issues/brief4.pdf
Borrup, T. (2011). The creative community builder's handbook: how to transform communities using local assets, art, and culture. Saint Paul, Minn.: Fieldstone Alliance.
Corbitt, J. N. and Vivian Nix-Early. (2003). Taking it to the Streets: Using the Arts to Transform Your Community. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
Dorfman, D. (1998). Mapping Community Assets Workbook. Strengthening Community Education. Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. Retrieved July 7, 2014, from http://www.abcdinstitute.org/docs/Diane%20Dorfman-Mapping-Community-Assets-WorkBook(1)-1.pdf
Best Practice Briefs, No. 4. (1999). Outreach Partners. Michigan State University. Retrieved July 7, 2014, from http://outreach.msu.edu/bpbriefs/issues/brief4.pdf
Borrup, T. (2011). The creative community builder's handbook: how to transform communities using local assets, art, and culture. Saint Paul, Minn.: Fieldstone Alliance.
Corbitt, J. N. and Vivian Nix-Early. (2003). Taking it to the Streets: Using the Arts to Transform Your Community. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
Dorfman, D. (1998). Mapping Community Assets Workbook. Strengthening Community Education. Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. Retrieved July 7, 2014, from http://www.abcdinstitute.org/docs/Diane%20Dorfman-Mapping-Community-Assets-WorkBook(1)-1.pdf