Week 8: Class Reading - Jenn

Chapter 6: Assessing Communities

Communities are made up of small microsystems – without these microsystems a community would never be able to function.  Understanding these microsystems is key if you want to understand or facilitate a change in a community.  As social workers we need to know how microsystems impact each other and how they work together to form the community as a whole.  It is best to fully immerse yourself into a community so that you can experience the community first-hand.  This gives you a chance to experience what it is like to be a community member in the community you are studying. You will also need to understand the historical events and milestones of the community and you need to keep in mind that communities are living organisms that continually change.

Chapter 6 outlines three tasks that will help social workers gather the information needed to evaluate a community. 

First, the book says you need to focus on the people in the community; these are the people you, as a social worker, are trying to help.  You may want to ask yourself “What population is the most oppressed?” or “Which population is most in need?” These questions can help you identify your target population.  After identifying the target population, you then need to gather information to determine this group’s demographics and their resources.  You should also identify their needs –how the community views those needs (are they seen as important or unimportant) and how these needs can be addressed.  A social worker can gather this information by attending community meetings, interviewing community members, and reviewing the data that is already available.  One thing that I think is of particular importance is that when identifying the needs of your target population, a social worker should be careful to talk to community members.  Ask them how they view themselves and how they see their community.  That’s a piece that is often overlooked, but that is extremely important.

Our text states that a social worker should determine the community characteristics.  These characteristics include boundaries, strengths, issues, social problems, and values.  You’ll want to ask about the size of the area included (a neighborhood, a city block, or a larger piece of a community).  Social workers also need to be sure to ask about the community’s strengths, issues, values, traditions, and social problems. It’s also important to figure out where the discrimination and oppression are taking place.

Finally, as a social worker you need to identify the community stakeholders. This means figuring out who runs the community, who controls the money and other resources, and how easy it is for community members to access those resources.  You’ll also want to know what type of resources are available – this means things like schooling, TANF, and other funding sources.

Our job as social workers is to fit these three pieces of the puzzle together so that we can understand how a community’s various microsystems work together within a community.

Week 8: Class Reading - Trisha

“The Community Development Process,” Green and Haines

In the chapter titled "The Community Development Process", Green and Haines discuss the various types of community development, the process and the goals. The process of and outcomes of community development are important. They focus on three areas: community organizing, community visioning and planning, and evaluation and monitoring. 

One main questions community developers face is the questions of how to get the community engaged in the issue. How do people become engage, maintain momentum, and continue to work towards a common goal? Who should be involved in development and community organizing? And how do you identify key players in a community? 

The article examines various theories and views on community-based organizations (CBOs). Various types of public participation exist and the article highlights Sherry Arnstein's "ladder of public participation" as frame work to understanding how communities can become more involved in making decisions. When the community has more power and control over decisions, they are more likely to become engaged. 

Green and Haines discuss challenges that community-based organizations face, including sustaining a ideal level of public input. This can be due to the fact that developing programs that fit within funding guidelines can alienate the community members and organizing communities can be a slow process. 

The article also discusses why people choose to get involved. Sometimes it is because the issues directly affect them or because of social relationships. If someone they know and respects is involved, they are more likely to jump in too. 

Some barriers people face when trying to get involved in CBOs are the lack of child care, transportation, accessibility for the disabled, lack of advanced information, time restraints, lack of communication, and residents not being able to see a direct benefit of their actions having a impact on the issue. 

Green and Haines present various forms organizing can take; unions, constituency, issue, and neighborhood/community. Community organizing is different from the others because it involves people in a specific geographic area. 

To organize residents, CBOs use social action campaigns and the development model. Social action campaigns include picketing, strikes, and sit-ins. The development model helps residents work towards development goals. Examples of community organizing models are The Alinsky model (involving a professional organizer), the Boston model (contacts welfare clients), and the Association of Community Organization for Reform Now (ACORN). The ACORN model combines the previous two and is more politically focused. 

Community visioning is key in community development. A common vision is needed for the community to organize around and beings a common desired end state. What do they want their community to look like? If your community was a perfect place, what would it look like to you? Visioning focused on the strengths of the community and the strength needed to be developed in order to reach the desired end product. 

Green and Haines review different planning tools there are used to guide development and growth: Comprehensive - Rational Planning, Advocacy Planning, and Strategic Planning. 

One common corporate-style strategic planning approach is the SWOT analysis. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. It can be used to build agreement within an organization and help identify areas of growth. 

Towards the end of the chapter, Green and Haines give a quick over view of Monitoring, Evaluate, and Revise, all of which are key in community development. Monitoring and evaluating reveal where corrections revision are needed. They can focus on specific accomplishments and determine outputs and outcomes. 

Questions for the class:

Have you engaged in community development or organizing? What was your experience? Do you have examples of when the visioning stage was missed? 

Has your place of employment used a Strategic Planning tool, such as SWOT? What has been your experience?  

Week 7: Class Reading - Katie

Chapter 5: “Understanding Communities”

The reading uses Warren’s definition of community which is, “the organization of social activities that affords people access to what is necessary for day-to-day living, such as the school, grocery store, hospital, house of worship, and other such social units and systems.”

The introduction outlines common concepts related to defining a community. These are: space, people, interaction, and shared identity. A community has specific dimensions as outlined in Fellin’s Dimensions of Communities. These include: Geographical Space, a pattern of social interaction, and symbolic identification that gives meaning to one’s identity.

The reading also covers numerous theories being applied to communities. One theory discussed is the systems theory. This can be used for a deeper understanding of the functioning of a community by assessing boundaries and maintenance needs within the community. One strength in this theory is addresses the fact that changes in one aspect of a community produces changes in other aspects in the community. One weakness cited to this theory is that it does not consider disagreements and deep divisions that may be present in the community. It is for this reason that assumptions about common purposes can be ignored using systems theory.

Systems theory is a great way to map out connections and relationships within a community. This leads to the section on capacity building and asset mapping. Recognizing informal units that are not publicly incorporated is and important aspect of capacity building and asset mapping. These informal units are often the backbone to the community and should be recognized when discovering strengths and opportunities for support within the community.

What do you like in your community? What aspects might you change?

Week 7: Class Reading - Hayley

Concepts and Theory of Local Economic Development by Blakely

The most traditional and commonly used definition of economic development is associated with the creation of wealth, which most often includes activities involved in increasing taxes, creating jobs, etc.  This is why economic development needs to be defined much differently.  The author offers a much more long-term focused definition to economic development that might be more suitable.  It focuses on local economic development based on a community’s standard of living, focuses on reducing inequality, and focuses on promoting sustainability.  The author also offers many brief overviews of theories related to economic growth and development, but explains further five theories that have been influential in understanding economic development.

The first theory is neoclassical economic theory.  This theory asserts that all economic systems will reach a state of equilibrium if capital flows without restrictions.  The issue with this is this model does not work perfectly.  The community must use its resources to attract capital, which it may not be doing, and disadvantaged communities should look to get resources to reach equilibrium of surrounding communities, which is much easier said than done.

The second theory is economic base theory, which focuses on export.  This theory poses the thought that economic growth is based on a community’s outside demand for certain goods, services, and resources.  If local resources produce goods that can be exported, then that community will achieve economic growth.  This theory is helpful in understanding how exportation affects local economy, but does not focus on internal community demands.

The third theory is the product cycle theory.  This theory says that there is a cycle, beginning in areas of greater wealth, where specialized labor is used to create a product.  This product stays in this area of greater wealth until it is standardized and can be produced in areas with less wealth and more standardized labor.  It is important to remember with this theory that different labor industries move at different speeds, therefore requiring different amounts of intensity.

Location theories are focused on how firms choose their location.  This choice is typically influenced by production costs, transportation costs, resources, and space.  It is much different for different firms; therefore this theory is used more specifically.

Central place theory asserts the idea that a central area (typically an urban center) is supported by smaller places that provide it with resources.  It is most easily associated with retail and helps us to pick viable centers for supporting communities.

The author also introduces models in which economic development has affected practice.  The first is through attraction models which are used in development-seeking communities that are viewed as products.  It is focused on marketing communities to attract entrepreneurial firms.  The second is through New Market Models, which are focused more on poor and rural areas.  This model believes that these communities have potential for economic opportunity, but are not being utilized appropriately.  It focuses on the long-term, community assets, and finding ways to share the wealth, which is something we want to strongly influence economic development theory.

Finally, the author presents more modern components of economic development, which includes locality, business and economic base, employment resources, and community resources.  These concepts have been reformulated to focus on the community’s long-term standard of living, focus on reducing inequality, and focus on promoting sustainability.  Economic development theory must continue to change and evolve to keep up with the changing society and its challenging trends.

Week 7: News Article - Daniel

“Eminent domain considered for geospatial agency,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/st-louis-considers-eminent-domain-power-in-effort-to-keep/article_ddb18d48-de2a-5417-99f1-fcf4c9e157c3.html

Jeff-Vanderlou is a poverty stricken neighborhood that has a population of 5,557 people. It is bordered by Vandeventer on the West and North Jefferson on the East. Delmar on the South and Palm Street on the North. This is an African American community that was settled by blacks in the early 1900s. In this area there are two community recreation centers, one VA Hospital, six elementary schools, three high schools, one community college, one Catholic Church and three senior citizens housing complexes. In addition to about twenty churches of different denominations and many small independent owned businesses. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper on February 12, 2015, the Vashon High School in the Jeff-Vanderlou neighborhood is failing to provide a quality education to its students. Only time will tell whether or not if the school will remain opened when the neighborhood goes the way of eminent domain. However, the Special Administrative School Board for the city of St. Louis has approved $2.2 million to renovate the old Pruitt Elementary School building at 1212 N. 22nd Street that was designed by architect Ray L. Leiunkuehler in 1954.

The Pruitt-Igoe Housing Project land is east of Jeff-Vanderlou at North Jefferson Avenue and Cass Avenue. What is important about the Pruitt-Igoe land is that it has 57 acres of land in its boundaries. And the city of St. Louis in interested in acquiring another 50 acres of land to offer to the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency to stay in the city of St. Louis. The spy agency has indicated they will move from their present location on south Broadway near the Anheuser Busch Brewery. But in order to stay in the city the spy agency needs 100 acres of land. This agency employees 3000 workers and brings in $2.4 million in annual earning tax with the average salary for this agency being $75,000 a year.  A big deal for the city of St. Louis economic base. Now the city is positioning itself to take control of the Jeff-Vanderlou land needed to make up this 100 acres of land that will be turned over to the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency to be developed into their new headquarters and facilities. The tool the city is contemplating using is the power of eminent domain. This is the right given to the government to take private property for public use. The public use in this instance will be for the economic benefit of the city of St. Louis in expanding its tax revenue base. In that the city does not want to lose that $2.4 million a year income stream. And the United States Supreme Court in Kelo v. City of New London, Connecticut in 2005 has said that it was legal as long as the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution was followed in giving the property owner just compensation for his property. After all the property owner has no right to stand in the way of progress and the greater good of the public.

The question that has to be answered is where will those displaced families go? The majority of the families in the Jeff-Vanderlou area are renters and they are low-income individuals. As with the Pruitt-Igoe land clearance project in the 1950s, the people were allowed to remain in the community with a better stock of housing than they had before. But with this urban renewal it will be a black neighborhood removal and no coming back. After the dust clears the Jeff Vanderlou neighborhood will no longer exist. What we as social workers are witnessing is a disappearing of a neighborhood before our eyes. We have an opportunity to be living in a historical time. So let’s seize the moment. And document all the historical places in this neighborhood because it will not be here fifty years from now.

Week 7: Class Reading - Michelle

Eligon, J. (2015, February 23). Shelter Resists Order to Stop Helping All It Can.  The New York Times, pp A9, A11.  http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/23/us/shelter-resists-order-to-stop-helping-all-it-can.html?_r=0

The New Life Evangelistic Center has provided homeless people in St. Louis a safe place to sleep since opening in 1976.  The article stated that there are around 1,300 homeless people in St. Louis.  While the shelter has 125 beds, it takes in about 300 people per night.  The shelter also provides 30 day and two year programs in which recipients can be selected to help find employment and more permanent housing.

The shelter is now at risk for being closed down.  The Board of Public Service ordered that the shelter limit its occupancy to 32 starting in May.  This order came after area stakeholders petitioned the Board due to their concern with drugs, fights, and public urination.  The area in which the shelter is located is ”transforming into a hub for urban renewal.”  The affluent residents moving into the area do not want the shelter operating.  Mr. Larry Rice, the advocate who runs the shelter stated that “Rich folks moved into the neighborhood and they considered the homeless a nuisance because they don’t want them around.”

The city reports spending $11 million a year supporting the homeless with the goal of getting them into permanent housing.  The approach is called “housing- first.”  Mayor Slay has a plan that will cost $1 million a year.  This plan is to connect the homeless with contractors that will help them find permanent housing.  Slay thinks that emergency shelter should be temporary.

Brad Waldrop, a local investor in the area, believes that the shelter fosters the cycle of homelessness.  He reports that this is why he led the efforts to close the shelter. He calls the shelter an “archaic” model and states that he would like to see a new model of “rapid rehousing.”

The people who stay in the shelter believe that the shelter provides them with emergency beds, resources, and a sense of community.  One resident stated that if they close the shelter he will freeze to death.

What do you think?   This “housing first” sounds a little bit like Pruitt – Igoe to me.  Is the Mayors plan of providing homes to the homeless and “beautifying” the city just a band aid for the real issues the city has? There

Week 6: News Article - Arriana

“Oversight bill passes committee”
St. Louis American
http://www.stlamerican.com/news/local_news/article_a432320e-b0bb-11e4-9098-533d110fd129.html

The St. Louis Aldermanic committee passed a bill last Monday (February 9th) that focused on creating a board that would be responsible for investigating and overseeing  police misconduct within our community (oversight board of police). The board would also have the ability to review citizens complaints and communicate with internal affairs about investigations (that includes sending investigations back and adding new evidence or questions to cases).

During the hearing a number of parties expressed their concern and opinions about the bill. Both police union and the city counselor’s office disagreed with the board having the power to subpoena while others like Alderman Antonio French push to give the board this power.

This article highlights the opinions of some alderman members and their agreeance or disagreeance to support the bill and the possible argument at hand, which is whether the board should have the subpoena power and in general the type and amount of powers granted to the board.

“The bill gives the board access to all documents and allows for some monitoring of Internal Affairs investigations.”  The power to subpoena was not originally documented in the bill but individuals such as Alderman Antonio French is fighting to add it to the bill.

This power is said to cause issues in the future by getting held up on courts and individuals deem it the that adding the power is a risky strategy.Along with subpoena power their have been debates or disputes about how the board members will be selected.

The bill goes to the board of Aldermen and on April 20th the results will be determined. The decision to send the bill back to the committee for revisions , or to pass or deny the bill.