Common sense tells us that children do better when their families are strong and that families do better when their communities are strong. The Annie E. Casey Foundation insists that “money, programs and interventions alone will not get us there. The key ingredient of success”, they say “is whether the people who live, work and worship in tough neighbourhoods believe that better results for families and communities are possible and whether they are committed to pursuing those results. Residents themselves, along with their allies, must be the drivers of change: they have to own it, demand it, and work for it.” 

The Foundation offers four types of strategies for supporting residents to be effective drivers of change. The first is “leadership development” strategies. These include training in areas such as strategic planning, policy advocacy and data analysis. It also involves creating leadership development opportunities such as “neighbourhood messenger programs” where local residents play the key roles in reaching out to other residents, in managing small projects, and in representing the neighbourhood to other constituencies.

A second strategy is to build strong social networks between residents and between residents and community partners. Networks can be strengthened through recreational activities, community celebrations or programs of reciprocal exchange. Almost any activity in the community can include elements that provide opportunity to strengthen social networks between residents. The social capital that develops will not only impact the quality of life in the neighbourhood, but will also improve ownership and engagement for solving the neighbourhoods problems.

Community organizing is a third strategy for supporting residents. Residents need to be involved in mapping the assets and issues of their communities, and creating plans for change. Organizers might consider sponsoring a series of family circles, where households meet to discuss community issues and opportunities for making a difference. Small grants programs can be very empowering for residents to manage the changes they are seeking for their communities.

The final strategy for resident empowerment is to improve their participation in civic engagement. Residents need to be able to hold their elected officials and service providers accountable to the community. They can do this by arranging public forums and by claiming key governance roles for any new organizations and alliances established to create change.

All of these strategies will be most effective when they are carried out in mutually reinforcing ways. Civic participation activities, for example, can be important vehicles for community organizing, which can be enhanced through the development of social networks, which can be created as part of local leadership development programs.

Money, programs and interventions are all important tools for revitalizing stressed neighbourhoods. Combining these tools with a strong element of resident engagement will dramatically increase the possibility for deep and enduring change.