Changing Communities: A Guide for Social and Community Activists

Experienced community organizer and professor Patricia Spindel provides a practical guide for producing change through community action and social activism in the updated second edition of Changing Communities. Spindel explores who has power in society and how communities can mobilize to create positive change by building capacity, developing community structures, and taking direct action to shift power relations.

Outlining a practical approach to asset mapping, creating community economic development strategies, and critiquing some current approaches to community development, the chapters cover topics including the impact of corruption and the influence of powerful interests, community strengths and needs assessment, community-based research, various community development strategies, and the principles and some of the tactics used in community organization. Equipped with case studies and practical examples, this fundamental guide is an essential resource for students in community development, social service work, gerontology, and other human services and helping professions.

FEATURES:

• Includes a community strengths-based assessment framework developed by the author, referred to as the Strengths, Assets, Challenges, and Opportunities Assessment (SACO)
• Offers case studies and practical examples from Canada and the United States
• Provides students with practical knowledge on how to build powerful coalitions, raise funds for grassroots projects, and deal with the press and social media, including how to write a press release

Written for those who want to be part of the change that builds a better world, Changing Communities challenges readers to take a stand by exploring why it is important to work for positive change. It is about empowering people and diverse communities to achieve equality, social justice, and inclusion for everyone. This text presents diverse real-world examples to illustrate how and why people become agents of social change and outlines the myriad ways that individuals and communities can—and have—come together to fight the good fight.

Outlining a practical approach to asset mapping, creating community economic development strategies, and critiquing current approaches to community development, the ten chapters in this book cover a range of topics, including the impact of corruption and the infl uence of powerful interests, community strengths and needs assessments, community-based research, various community development strategies, and the principles and tactics used in community organization.

Featuring expanded examples and concepts, updated references, and new pedagogical features (further readings, classroom resources, activities, and questions for reflection), this second edition is a valuable resource for those in introductory courses in community development and other health and human services professions.