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Every community, like a family, is a unique collection of individuals with valuable talents and strengths. Just as every family has resources, assets, and relationships distinctive to that family, so does every community. Regardless of geographic location, climate, or size, all communities have a wealth of assets waiting to be tapped. The difference is families generally know the capability of individual members and resources available to them, whereas communities do not. As with families, the community that does not know its strengths and weaknesses is at a disadvantage in competing for a better life.
The Process
Tapping into community assets builds community capacity. Two daunting questions community leaders face when building capacity are "What do we have to work with?" and "How can we find out?" Asset mapping documents the abilities, capabilities and capacities, including those of individuals, within a community. The process focuses on the positive, helping communities to identify hidden strengths, skills, and under-utilized resources, and it also maximizes the potential of individuals. The collective talents and skills of groups are...