Private and public leadership must organize and collaborate to successfully turnaround a neighborhood. Together, they must be facilitated to lead through the complexities of transforming each neighborhood within a city, especially to the point that most cities need to be transformed. Our process integrates the following practices to build collaborative partnerships to implement action plans that align to the fabric of the community which a neighborhood serves.
Read MoreEvery neighborhood has the opportunity to be unique and prosper. Thus, each neighborhood will have different metrics for success. Here are some metrics that could be prioritized for neighborhood design and improvement.
Read MoreIn working with communities that have struggled for decades to make ends meet with limited resources, there is a significant hurdle to overcome: the perception that more is not possible. The scarcity mindset and survivor syndrome are distinct psychological concepts, though both involve stress responses and can influence behavior in challenging environments. Below is a clear comparison of their definitions, characteristics, drivers, and outcomes to highlight their differences.
Read MoreOpportunity Collaboratives, or hubs, are innovative initiatives designed to revitalize distressed communities by centralizing services and resources. This approach focuses on leveraging existing nonprofit and government resources efficiently, ensuring services are located where they are most needed, and scaling them to match community needs. This article explores how the Insight Strategic Concepts®’ (ISC) and OBE Advisors LLC process works, its principles, and its potential to universally help communities achieve prosperity.
Read MoreApproximately 16 million properties in the United States are considered vacant and abandoned, often indicative of blighted or distressed real estate. This figure represents about 11% of the total housing inventory, highlighting a substantial challenge for community revitalization. Given that 83% of the U.S. population resides in urban areas, it is estimated that around 13.3 million of these properties are located in urban or more populated regions, presenting significant opportunities for revitalizing downtowns to foster prosperous communities.
Read MoreKenosha Innovation Neighborhood (KIN) located on the 107-acre former Chrysler Engine Plant site, has a specific focus on fostering neighborhood opportunities in education, workforce training, entrepreneurial development, and job placement. KIN will be centered around connecting Kenosha residents to opportunities in high-growth digital, and science technology, engineering, and math (STEM) occupations.
Read MoreTo collaborate with other nonprofits, our strategic alignment collaboration model outlines the key elements for leadership to integrate internal purpose with external partners. To collaborate with others effectively, you will need a clear internal plan for your organization that states the basis for your need to collaborate and the types of organizations and programs you want to collaborate with. Without that, it will be difficult to have expectations of partners if your own house isn't in order. Next, build your leadership and collaboration skills: authentic communication, conflict resolution, critical thinking, running effective meetings, accountability and measures, and project management. Finally, identify partners and complete the steps of a structured partner plan to build collaborative programming and projects.
Read MoreCollaboration is challenging, and it is more challenging, if not impossible when leaders allow dysfunctional behaviors within the team. M Here are the collaboration killers we find to be the root of collaboration failure among teams.
Read MoreTrends for almost two decades now is for most households to prefer to live where they can live, work, shop, recreate and find most of the services they require within a convenient distance – approximately 15 minutes away. Ideally, we are finding that many residents prefer the car trip to be less, and that they can access these conveniences by foot or bike in 15 minutes or less. Neighborhoods that immediately provide these everyday needed and desired amenities, we call Complete Neighborhoods.
Read MoreNWI Works in Northwest Indiana is critical to workforce development because of its local focus, training programs, job placement services, support for diverse populations, economic impact, and partnerships with key stakeholders. By investing in NWI Works, the region can build a stronger, more skilled workforce that drives economic growth and prosperity for years to come.
Read MoreThe Tolleston Opportunity Hub is located on a 31-acre former Tolleston Middle School site. The school building currently hosts a Boys and Girls Club. The opportunity hub, still in the planning stages, will include quality of life, economic, education, health & wellness and public safety opportunities and programming.
Read More“For more than 100 years, we have aspired to empower our neighbors to build a more promising tomorrow for themselves and their families. This aspiration is at the heart of our purpose and work. As a community development organization, embraces the fact that everyone shares the same aspirations. Through the use of our programs, partnerships, and interventions, we provide the opportunity to optimize every Neighbor’s earning potential, learning opportunities, sense of belonging, and health and well being.” - BakerRipley website
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