Americans’ identification with the often-quoted African proverb "it takes a
village to raise a child" is but one example of why there is so much interest in the
quest for community. Many of the objectives of physical and social well-being, if they are
to be realized, require community support and action, both formal and informal. In the
village of the past, face-to-face relationships dominated. There were no strangers. There
was a closely knit group. Life situations required a high degree of interdependency.
Village members knew what behavior represented their best interests and how to teach and
discipline wayward members. They could count on each other for support. They related to
internal and external situations as a group.
A cursory review of chapter titles in this book makes it clear to the
reader that at least in social work, the day of community has arrived. It appears that
there is some mystique about community. Professionals in many fields are in search of more
effective means in their efforts at social betterment. They seek the holy grail of
community and neighborhood.
Few American population centers approximate village communities of the
past, yet the properties of community are as necessary as ever. If we cannot return to the
days and times of village America, how can structures and processes be determined that
will enable disadvantaged citizens to more effectively define and advance their own life
chances in a society that is increasingly nonresponsive to their status? This book is
about the authors’ experiences in efforts to guide the building and maintenance of
communities, families, and children.
Practitioners, students, and teachers will find this collection of
articles an invaluable resource. They reference the range and depth of strategic and
tactical action situations that confront those who seek to intervene in community.
Although not a how-to-do-it guide, this book broadens and deepens our understanding about
the properties of community and well-intentioned behavior of agencies and ways of working
with them.
At the center of community work is the science of identifying,
focusing, and activating different sources of social influence sufficient to accomplish
the relevant objective. The editors have selected 38 articles covering a variety of
topics, but each discusses issues of strategy and tactics. Of equal importance for
institutions, communities, individuals, and families is the science of human
motivation—the question of how to initiate and maintain change.
Among the practice issues dealt with are
Efforts to achieve cohesion between policy and its implementation at
national and state levels with community action at the local level. Clearly this is an
important area of concern, for in many cases policy established in larger political arenas
is needed to facilitate reaching goals and objectives of local communities.
Criteria for selecting a single issue, such as prenatal health versus
improving communication about a variety of health problems in the community. Frequently,
success on the first issue may require a parallel action around the second. When agencies
seek to undertake collaboration on one issue they must understand and be prepared to
assist with another. Whose definition of the problem or issue is to guide the action?
Approval of the worker’s role and mission, especially when it
involves accountability to multiple communities. Crucial to the credibility of the program
is the perception that the professional legitimization maintains accountability to the
service consumer group or community.
Most, if not all, of the communities discussed in the articles are by
definition impoverished in a major way. What does honesty of partnership require with
respect to the overwhelming visual and experiential facts about the socioeconomic status
of their lives and place of residence? This is not to question the wisdom of current
approaches, but it demands that we ask what else is needed.
There is one other group that can benefit from the learnings of this
book. One would hope that agency boards and staffs would use this book as a resource in
planning and evaluating their work with communities in regard to decision making about
program and finance.
John B. Turner, DSWChapel Hill, NC
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