“….a community is a group of people who are socially interdependent, who participate together in discussion and decision making, and who share certain practices that both define community and are nurtured by it. Such a community is not always quickly formed. It almost always has a history and so is also a community of memory, defined in part by its past and its memory of the past” (Bellah et al., 1985, p. 333).

Community Development

Community development is a practice in which people are committed to changes in the structure of power relations in society through the ways in which they work with community groups (Labonte, 2006). WSCC believes in taking an assets-based approach to community development, similar to the work of Kretzmann and McKnight (1993). In this approach, community development can only occur when we recognize and build upon the strengths, skills, and assets of individuals, groups, neighbourhoods, and communities, and use those assets to strengthen our communities. We seek to use the gifts and skills of local artists and together with groups and communities, empower and enhance people’s lives.

References:

Bellah, R.N., Madsen, R., Sullivan, W. M., Swidler, & Tipton, M. (1985). Habits of the heart: Individualism and commitment in American life. New York, NY: Harper & Row.

Kretzmann, J.P., & McKnight, J.L. (1993). Building communities from the inside out: A path toward finding and mobilizing a community’s assets. Skokie, IL: ACTA Publications.

Labonte, R. (2006). Community, community development, and the forming of authentic partnerships: Some critical reflections. In M. Minkler (Ed.), Community organizing and community building for health 2^nd ed. (pp. 82-96). New Jersey: Rutgers University Press.