Austin Coming Together’s Post

To make positive changes in their communities, changemakers need to have a clear idea of what the local problems and opportunities are. In other words, change makers need to find out and have a clear idea of the Needs of the community and resources they have. WHAT DO WE MEAN BY NEEDS AND RESOURCES? Needs are the differences between the current situation and the desired one. A need can be experienced by an individual, a group, or a whole community. It can be something tangible like food and water or something intangible like better social relations. A common example might be the need for public transportation in a community where farmers have no way of transporting their produce to the market. Even more important to these people, though, might be the need to be respected for their wisdom and skills. By looking closely at situations, we can discover what is really needed, and work toward making things better. Resources, or assets, are anything that can be used to improve the quality of life. They can be people, organizations, institutions, places, things, etc. For example, the mother in a village in Rigo District who organizes games and sports for local kids after school, the farmers’ cooperative that helps farmers get cheaper seeds and fertilizers and sell their products directly to the market without a middle man, the library that offers books and Internet access to everyone, the bike and walking path where city dwellers can exercise – these are all resources that make community life better. Every person is a possible community asset, and everyone has assets that can be used for community building. #CommunityNeedsAssessment #CommunityDevelopment #CommunityAssets #CommunityAction #CommunityImpact

📣 If you’re working in a housing association and have responsibility for engaging residents and social housing communities, your expertise is needed tomorrow! We have a couple of spaces available for our roundtable on resident engagement with OK Positive on Thursday 09 May, 14.30-15.30. Message me direct if you’d like to join or find out more details. A bit more info 👇 This is the second roundtable on this project, aiming to better understand regulation, share knowledge on best practice and how technology can be used to increase engagement, impact and social value. In this roundtable, we will be showcasing ResiLink, the prototype resident engagement tool developed by OK Positive in collaboration with HACT. During the demonstration, we'll discuss the newest features and developments within Resilink and we’d would love your feedback, ideas and input. This roundtable has a focus on seeking the perspectives of staff currently working in housing associations and have responsibilities for engaging residents and social housing communities. #communityinvestment #socialvalue #communityengagement

Lighting Up Pathways 💡 In partnership with various neighbourhood committees, we have been working diligently to illuminate pathways that serve as crucial links to family homes, markets, and main roads. These pathways are more than just routes; they are lifelines that connect us all. The benefits of this project extend beyond mere convenience. It has created a feeling of safety for those returning late from school or work, and has empowered market vendors, particularly women, to sell their produce well into the evening. This not only boosts local economies but also fosters a strong sense of community. We believe in the power of community and understand that our success is tied to the strength of our neighbourhoods. By lighting up pathways, we're not just brightening roads; we're illuminating opportunities, enhancing safety, and strengthening our community bonds. Together, let's continue to light up the way for a brighter, safer future. #solomonislands #community #safety #lightingpathways

When change arrives, it often arrives in waves. Last night, following an HOA letter concerning a parking update distributed to all homeowners, I found myself with neighbors knocking on my door seeking input. While we've experienced changes before, this one seems to be reaching a tipping point. After those conversations and witnessing the discontent among neighbors, I resolved to enact positive change within our community instead of engaging in further negative discussions with the management company. With this in mind, I'm initiating a movement advocating for homeowner’s rights and amplifying the voices of those who wish to be heard. While existing organizations are already in our community, my aim is to transcend merely providing information and instead catalyze change as a disruptor. In the weeks ahead, we'll disseminate information, gather like-minded individuals, and identify areas where we can effect meaningful change. The adversarial relationship between homeowners and the HOA is counterproductive, and it's time for a new era of cooperation and civility to emerge.

In difficult, unsure times, we remember that we are all part of a community. HOAs, neighborhoods, municipalities, counties, states, a country. "Social capital" is a positive, direct product of human interaction, intentional community-building, and a deliberate, structured approach. Applying this within an HOA can realize a sense of purpose and togetherness. When people have trust in their community members, they more easily overcome conflict and move to solutions more quickly. When people feel involved in community projects, they are less likely to oppose to them or feel deterred by delays and high cost. We've worked with the University of Colorado to define six pillars of community well being in associations as part of our greater commitment to HOA sustainability at large. Then, we have a purposeful structure of how to measure community well being, and ways to address issues. You can learn more about our approach here: https://lnkd.in/gSZCgD2R

Excited to have attended the Attainable Housing conversation today! It was a powerful reminder of the importance of participating in these bigger conversations that impact our communities, workforce, and sustainability. The shortage of rental units and the reality that many kids can’t stay in the communities they grew up in is a pressing issue. This continued shortage is driving up costs and affecting our ability to strike a better balance between employment expectations and available housing. Being a part of these discussions is crucial for our business community. Today’s event provided valuable concepts and ideas on how we can make a local impact on a national crisis. Let’s work together to make changes ahead of the crisis and create a better future for our communities. #AttainableHousing #CommunityImpact #Sustainability #RecruitmentMarketing #RecruitmentCampaign #BusinessLeadership #ChangeMaker

Affordable Housing: A Cornerstone of Community Well-being At Camille Comfort Care, we believe that a strong community is built on the foundation of secure, affordable housing. As we continue to serve our neighbors, we've seen firsthand how access to affordable housing can transform lives and strengthen the fabric of our community. Why Affordable Housing Matters: 1. Economic Stability: When families spend less on housing, they have more resources for other essentials like food, healthcare, and education. 2. Health Improvements: Stable housing leads to better health outcomes, reducing stress and providing a safe environment for families to thrive. 3. Educational Success: Children in stable housing situations perform better in school, setting them up for future success. 4. Community Cohesion: Affordable housing promotes diverse, inclusive neighborhoods, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support. 5. Local Economic Growth: It attracts a diverse workforce, supporting local businesses and services. Our Commitment: At Camille Comfort Care, we're dedicated to being part of the solution. We're actively working to: - Advocate for policies that support affordable housing initiatives - Partner with local organizations to expand housing options - Provide support services to help individuals and families maintain stable housing How You Can Help: - Educate yourself about affordable housing issues in our area - Support local initiatives and organizations working on housing solutions - Advocate for inclusive zoning and housing policies - Volunteer with organizations that help provide or maintain affordable housing Together, we can create a community where everyone has access to safe, affordable housing. It's not just about putting roofs over heads—it's about building the foundation for a thriving, inclusive community for all. Let's work together to make affordable housing a reality for everyone in our community. Your support can make a world of difference. #AffordableHousing #CommunitySupport #SocialResponsibility #CamilleComfortCare

We've been discussing the topic of healthy cities lately, and really digging in deep to what this term means and what kinds of things create healthy communities and cities. One of the things I think many healthy cities initiatives forget is that rolling out ideas is great, but without community buy-in and involvement, they'll never get off the ground. That's why that piece - community involvement - is actually at the core of our healthy city initiative. We have five action committees, because that is what the community wanted. And each of those committees is run by a community member. The initiative provides staff and support, but the decisions and action are driven by those who live and work in the community being served. We think that's the "secret sauce" to successful healthy city initiatives. What other things do you think make healthy city initiatives work? #HealthyCities #CommunityInvolvement #CommunityEngagement

Better planning leads to healthier communities. So, how can we gain a more holistic picture of #SocialValue across any given location? Explore here. #CommunityDevelopment #BetterTogether

Celebrating success! 🎉 Seeing your hard work pay off is why strategic planning is worth it! While implementing a strategy can be the trickiest part, it’s crucial to celebrate the wins when they happen. 🏆 From progress on economic development, to aging in place, sustainable building, and inclusionary housing, these initiatives have truly made an impact. Check out our latest blog to see some outcomes from this past spring! 🌷 Mentioned in this post: Westlock County, Village of Mount Prospect, City of Rockville, City of Las Cruces. 👇  #StrategicPlanning #SuccessStories #CommunityImpact #OutcomesMatter