The 100 Homes Initiative
Community organizing is at the heart of place-based nonprofit work. Collectively working towards common goals requires planning, and research into beneficial models of approach improves our expectations and outcomes.
Community Organizing in Theory
To understand community organizing and development, we look to sociologist Jack Rothman's models for guidance. Two of his models– Locality Development and Social Action– offer a framework we embrace:
Locality Development encourages community participation and builds stronger relationships, a deeper sense of community identity, and belonging. Methods in this model engage collective problem-solving, empowering of local leaders, self-help, and educational objectives.
Social Action focuses on organizing disadvantaged communities to advocate for themselves– mobilizing the community to challenge systems of inequality. This approach can organize communities around common goals and deliver changes in unfair power structures or policies.
Community Organizing in Practice
Through the "100 Homes" program, our team visits monthly with neighbors while performing short surveys to ensure community voices are heard. The data that comes from these surveys becomes pivotal in shaping our work! Our ‘visit and survey’ approach embodies Rothman’s Locality Development, promoting democratic engagement, fostering self-help, and nurturing local leadership through the direct and consistent community involvement of our team.
This program also activates Social Action by addressing systemic inequalities that often marginalize voices. Through intentional conversation and a congregation of community insights, “100 Homes” empowers residents to demand and enact change, redistributing power to ensure that decisions reflect the community's needs and aspirations.
The visit and survey approach creates community development and social action, advocating for justice and equity within the structures that impact our neighbors' lives.
Community-Driven Outcomes
The South Dallas Community Market is a direct outcome of this approach. The Market emerged from the community's expressed desire for accessible, healthy food options. This outcome showcases an emphasis on community-led planning and implementation and reflects goals of redistributing resources and ensuring equitable access to necessities– a demonstration of the value of Locality Development and Social Action. A collaboration with Brother Bill's Helping Hand, the South Dallas Community Market is a testament to the power of community-led decision-making. Providing $1.2 million in in-kind groceries in its first year, the Market has become a beacon of access, engagement, and empowerment– the profound result of entrusting the community with the authority to shape their environment.
Creating Structure for Growth
As we expand the "100 Homes" program, we embrace Locality Development and Social Action, working to amplify community voices across broader platforms and organizations. This collaborative approach to expansion is guided by the belief that systemic change is achievable when communities are empowered to lead the conversation. Our commitment remains to grow and adapt this program based on the direction and goals set by our neighbors, to embody the principle of "nothing about them without them."
The "100 Homes" program represents a pioneering integration of locality development and social action, revealing the power of community-driven initiatives supported by strategic, macro-level engagement. By understanding and applying Rothman's models, we can all contribute to building stronger, more resilient communities where every voice is heard and valued.
We invite service providers, philanthropists, and community advocates to join us in this innovative approach to community engagement. We are eager and willing to share the process and principles behind 100 Homes to any organization that would like to implement this type of engagement in their work!