Different approaches to community development include utilizing existing resources, strengthening relationships and families through faith-based programs, focusing on community assets through resource-based programs, and combining government agencies and corporations to improve the local economy and foster social change. Faith-based institutions have historically played a significant role in community development. Resource-based programs incentivize community involvement in local government, education, or business. Economic community development involves combining the strength of various community-based businesses, non-profit organizations, and large corporations to enhance the economic, social, and cultural well-being of the community.
There are many different approaches to community development designed to make some kind of needed change to the people who live in that community. Many of these approaches involve using resources already in the community or integrating them with other types of social or economic assistance. Strengthening relationships and families within a community are major benefits of faith-based community development. Developing a resource-based community involves using the strengths and experiences that already exist within a community to take action and achieve goals. Some approaches to community development involve the combined power of government agencies and large corporations to improve the local economy and foster social change.
Of all approaches to community development, the faith-based model may be one of the best known. Throughout history, faith-based institutions have played an important role in improving the quality of life for all members of a community. Local churches are particularly adept at cultivating long-term relationships with individuals and families in many aspects of their lives. Since churches are a constant presence and church members typically reside in the surrounding community, faith-based community development is easily implemented. For example, a church in Houston, Texas has partnered with the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) to provide specially arranged mortgages for those in that particular community.
Resource-based programs provide another of the most effective approaches to community development. Using the talents and abilities of its members, this approach works to focus a community on its assets rather than its needs or problems. These community development programs typically provide incentives or encouragement for community members to become more involved in local government, education, or business. Resource-based community programs typically establish various capabilities and resources of already existing individuals, institutions, and associations within the community. Collaboration among these groups is intended to bring community members together to address particular needs, take appropriate action, and achieve specific goals to improve that community.
Developing the economic community involves more than just providing economic assistance to an impoverished area. This is probably the most comprehensive of all approaches to community development. This concept uses a whole community approach and combines the principles of asset-based community development with the assistance of local, regional or national government agencies and corporations. These approaches to community development are not intended to exploit a community’s resources. Rather, the ultimate goal of business community development is to combine the strength of various community-based businesses, non-profit organizations, and large corporations to enhance the economic, social, and cultural well-being of that community.
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