From Investing in What Works for America's Communities
Seidman synthesizes the themes from Sections I and II. Several themes emerge with some regularity—perhaps the most profound is the recognition that community development is about the entire life of the community. That recognition generates a series of important corollaries: a focus on the health and well-being of individuals and families—especially children—as well as of the places in which they live; the need to bring many disciplines to the table and "bust silos," including in particular the silos of government programs; and the essential role of truly effective participation of residents. A second theme is that community development, while still largely focused in neighborhoods, must connect those neighborhoods with the broader economy to be effective. A third theme is that in a time of severely constrained funding, the field must find new sources of financing and put what has been available to better use, both by focusing on what works and by new financing systems and structures. A final theme is the need for community development to become more entrepreneurial.
Author: Ellen S. Seidman, Visiting Scholar at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
Date of Publication: August, 2012
Last Updated: August, 2012