Community Building

The Community Building Initiative is a practical path to sustainable community action that engages community members & facilitates the completion of a plan of action which celebrates community strengths and creates a roadmap for improving the quality of life. The program involves all generations, recognizes that long term change requires long term presence, encourages community centered action that is managed and driven by local residents, and forms strategic partnerships.This asset-based approach builds on the strengths of the community as the foundation from which to create proactive, sustainable, community driven avenues for meeting community needs.

"With so many organizations out there, it is important to know that with United Way of Tulare County, your donation will help so many people here, locally."

— Elizabeth G., Walmart DC

Walmart DC is a United Way Community Partner

Objectives

Encourage civic engagement
Create a community vision for the next 10 years
Increase community participation in decision making
Align resources to create collaboration
Facilitate a sustainable local community action group
Increase collaboration to maximize and mobilize resources
Facilitate the training of individuals to be community leaders
Give a voice to community assets / needs and develop strategies
Create proactive, sustainable, and community driven action plan to meet community needs
Engage and empower individuals, community organizations, and institutions to address social climate
Identify community assets (asset mapping)

Outcomes

Improved social environment and quality of life
Increased political health and civic involvement
Increased economic and infrastructure development
Improve community systems (government, agribusiness, health care delivery)