Strengthening Organizations, Strengthening Communities

Identifying Asset and Strengths

Purpose

Assets and strengths within a community are often overlooked or taken for granted. All individuals, young, old, and in-between have experiences, histories, and ideas that, if constructively developed, can be used to improve the health and well-being of a community.

One example is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). This is an international self-help group organization with thousands of local chapters comprised of people who are meeting to discuss their alcohol addiction. While their addiction is obviously not a positive thing, AA provides an opportunity for millions of individuals to help others based on their own stories and experiences.

To build upon the assets and strengths within a given group, organization, or community, a first step is to intentionally identify those assets and strengths and the possible interrelationships between various groups, organizations, and sectors. The following facilitated process can help identify assets and strengths, interrelationships, and build a shared vision of the future. With some alterations, this process can be conducted with any size group.

Benefits

Participants begin to identify the assets and strengths within their group, organization, or community that may have been unrecognized or untapped prior to the discussion. New relationships between various individuals and groups can materialize based on these insights. Based on their own assets and contributions, participants will make commitments for the future. Asset mapping provides an opportunity for:

 Individuals to share their stories and experiences.

 Participants to gain a better understanding of the stories and experiences of others.

1 | w w w . c c s r . w i c h i t a . e d u  The development of a preferred future based on input from all.

 Commitment to moving toward the preferred future.

This facilitated process can be done with any group or community beginning to think about and identify new relationships and ways of working together based on the assets/strengths of those within a community. In 1 to 2 hours, you can do a 1st level asset map of the whole community. Obviously there will be assets missing, but in a short period of time, with a handful of individuals, you can begin to identify the relationships that could exist within a community.

Instructions Prior to Facilitation

 Create a friendly/welcoming atmosphere; select a meeting location that is accessible, recognized, and neutral to the purpose of the meeting.

 Chairs should be set-up so that everyone is an equal participant (non-classroom style).

 You will need markers, flipcharts, and instructions for breakout groups (if used).

2 | w w w . c c s r . w i c h i t a . e d u Facilitation Notes

Description Process Notes/Related Materials

Provide the Purpose of the Meeting, and begin with a Warm-up Exercise.

Flipchart responses. How do you believe the average adult in your community views youth? What would the average adult say about youth in the community? Let’s brainstorm.

Which of these are assets/strengths? - Circle those that are assets/strengths in red.

Which of these are deficits? - Circle those that are deficits/troubles/etc. in blue.

Emphasize the idea that you want to make healthier communities through enhancing collaboration between individuals, groups, and organizations. Add to the previous flipchart any additional assets/strengths.

We all know what it is like to be a youth. We have listed some of the assets/strengths of youth, but what else can we say about them, thinking outside the normal views of youth?

Now that we have identified some of the assets and strengths of youth, let’s talk about the individuals, groups, organizations, etc. in the community that affect/come into contact with youth in some way. We can think of 4 primary categories/sectors in the community: Note: The group can work as one large group or, if needed, create breakout groups to work individually on each community sector. 1) Associations/Churches/Grassroots Organizations

2) Publicly Funded Institutions

3) Private Institutions

4) Local Residents

If breakout groups are not used…

As a facilitator, ask the group to identify: 3 | w w w . c c s r . w i c h i t a . e d u

(1) The local individuals, groups, companies, etc. that fit in each sector.

(2) The collective assets/strengths of this sector.