Step One in the Community Analysis: Understanding Communities—Their History and Current ConditionsPurpose: This chapter describes the first step of the community analysis, which includes developing an understanding of a community’s history, socioeconomic and political characteristics, assets, and resources. At this stage, a consensus organizer gathers information about the community, including a community’s history, information on current conditions and how the community has changed over time (i.e., demographic, economic, and social characteristics), and prior relationships with neighboring communities. Several methods for gathering and analyzing information are discussed, including conducting walking and windshield surveys of the neighborhood, securing census data on the community available through the U.S. Census Bureau, and using geographic information systems (GIS). A set of strategic questions are provided to help participants conduct this step of the community analysis. In addition, a case study demonstrates how Step One of the community analysis was applied in a consensus organizing project in Palm Beach County, Florida.Learning Objectives:To describe and examine the overall goals and objectives of Step One of the community analysis.To identify and describe the strategies and methods for gathering information on a community’s history and current conditions.To demonstrate how the strategies and methods for gathering information on a community’s history and current conditions were applied in a consensus organizing project.To apply the strategies and methods for gathering information on a community’s history and current conditions to an actual community.Keywords: community history, socioeconomic characteristics, political characteristics, census data, geographic information systems, windshield survey, assets, resources.Overall Purpose of Step one of the Community AnalysisThe goal of Step One of the community analysis is to gather information about the community, make initial contacts, and get an overall picture of the community’s history, current conditions, assets, resources, and social, economic, physical, and cultural characteristics. Consensus organizers gather information about a community by interviewing residents, and gathering information such as census data. They also get a visual picture of the neighborhood by conducting walking and windshield surveys. Historical and current information on the community is gathered from community and organizational Web sites, newspapers, and interviews with residents and community organizations. Some of the areas to analyze in Step One of the community analysis include:the community’s actual name and if that differs from the name residents give the community;the physical boundaries and characteristics of the community;when the community began, who the first inhabitants or immigrants were, and important historical events that have occurred in the community;who lives in the community, where they work, their income levels, and their family sizes and status;the type and condition of housing and the ratio of renters to homeowners;the conditions of the commercial district, the types of businesses located there, who owns them, and if residents are employed at neighborhood businesses;the major institutions in the community, including schools and hospitals;places where people gather (e.g., playgrounds, street corners, community centers); andpolitical activity in the neighborhood (e.g., involvement of government representatives, voting patterns).Gathering Information About the CommunityThere are a number of resources relating to communities from which information can be gathered. Beyond simply walking around neighborhoods, consensus organizers can collect public and private publications about the community, including newspaper articles, historical records, reports on previous programs, and information from local government, community, and organizational Web sites. Organizers can also ask community members about where the best places are to gather information about the community and where to begin their search. Information about the community can also be gathered by connecting with major institutions and agencies in the community, attending public functions, gathering information from libraries and local planning departments, and reviewing census data. The goal is to canvass all available resources to obtain a diversity of information so that a realistic picture of the community can be painted.Conducting Walking and Windshield SurveysA “walking” survey typically involves choosing a location that is an active area of the community (e.g., preferably a business district) and walking through the area during the daylight hours. A “windshield” survey involves driving through the community to get a visual picture of the community. Exactly as the name implies, the organizer drives through the assigned neighborhood and observes and notes what is visible through the windshield.Typical windshield surveys will give the consensus organizer an overall sense of the neighborhood’s physical conditions, including the condition of the housing, public amenities (e.g., parks and community centers), institutions, or businesses in the area. The physical appearance of a community tells one part of the story and may help fill in gaps that census data do not reveal. For example, you might have census data that show the percentage of homeowners or vacant units in a community, but a visual picture of the neighborhood tells you the condition of the housing. Second, census data may be a few years old, so it’s important to observe demographic patterns. For example, the census may indicate that 10% of the population is Hispanic; however, when you drive around the neighborhood, it appears as if there are more Hispanics in the neighborhood than indicated by the census data. Housing markets and conditions can also change rapidly, particularly in areas affected by gentrification. A windshield survey can be done on a regular basis to determine the status of buildings in a neighborhood. Typically a set of criteria will be determined up front, so that each time the survey is done you are comparing “apples to apples.” For example, government agencies may rate exterior building conditions on a scale of 1 through 5, with 1 being excellent condition and 5 being condemned. By understanding the government’s system, you can examine the ratings on specific buildings, and conduct your own windshield survey to keep up-to-date information on their condition. Community organizers use windshield surveys throughout the organizing process to supplement data and gain important observations about the community.While windshield surveys have their place, the best way to get to know a neighborhood is to explore it on foot. By walking around the neighborhood, the consensus organizer gets a feel for the community and will naturally meet people along the way. An easy way to do this is to begin by visiting business establishments in the area. You might be surprised at what you will learn about the neighborhood by having lunch at a local café or getting a haircut at the local barbershop or hair salon. You might also find that people you meet at these establishments can help you make connections to residents and other groups.When conducting the windshield and walking surveys, it is important to use safe practices. If possible, conduct the surveys with at least one other person. It is also a good idea to conduct the surveys with a neighborhood resident, or at least get feedback from people who live and work there (for example, homeowners, clergy, neighborhood leaders, or local business owners) about when it is safe to explore the neighborhood. In addition, contact local community police officers to ask for their advice about when it is safe to explore the community. You should also consider conducting the surveys during daylight hours if you are alone. For example, if you do your tour on a sunny Saturday afternoon, you are likely to see and meet more people. Consider visiting other public spaces where people might congregate, such as a public park, the neighborhood library, or the schoolyard at the beginning or end of the school day. All are great spots to observe and meet people. You may also want to start by attending a public meeting in the neighborhood first, to get feedback from residents about conducting the surveys.Organizers for the Neighborhood Development Program of the Family Service Association in Dayton, Ohio, once worked in a neighborhood where mistrust was so high it was impossible to have house meetings. Local institutions also had mixed reviews, and all were nonsmoking establishments. One of the community organizers held many of her first organizing sessions in the local laundromat and a doughnut shop. The owners of both businesses were open to the organizer and residents having meetings at their places of business because the organizer had previously built relationships with these owners during a walking tour of the neighborhood. Another community organizer from the Dayton program loved basketball, so he would always look for a pickup game in neighborhoods he was working in. He was able to meet many people right away, and have fun too! One of the other organizers had a sweet tooth. If the neighborhood had a bakery, candy store, or ice cream parlor, that’s where she went first! A neighborhood tour can be fun. As you meet people in the community, your comfort level will rise and you will find yourself naturally spending more time on the block level. Remember to make your first interactions count and build on people’s strengths. Don’t be alarmed that within a short time of your being in the neighborhood, everyone will know who you are.Gathering and Understanding Census DataTable 6.1 describes the major types of census data that a consensus organizer might gather in Step One of the community analysis, including the overall demographic characteristics of the neighborhood, and social, economic, and housing characteristics. Make sure you get as up-to-date information as possible from the U.S. Census Bureau and local government planning, housing, community development, and social service departments. The Census Bureau Web site (www.census.gov) allows users to get census track as well as block level data, making it much easier to get specific neighborhood level data. In addition, you may want to compare data over time to illustrate changes that may have occurred in the neighborhood.Table 6.1 Types of Census Data to Gather on the CommunityType of DataInformation to GatherGeneral DemographicsTotal population Population growth rateCurrent population and change over time (change over past 10 years—for example, comparing the year 2005 with 1995)GenderNumber and percentage of males and femalesAgeMedian age; number and percentage of various age groupsRace/ethnicityNumber and percentage of major racial and ethnic groupsHouseholds by typeNumber and percentage of family, married, single female, nonfamily, living alone, and living alone/over 65 years oldHH/family sizeAverage household size; average family sizeSocial CharacteristicsSchool enrollment (3 years and over)Number and percentage in nursery/preschool, kindergarten, elementary, high school, and college or graduate schoolEducational attainment (25 years and over)Number and percentage with no diploma, high school graduate/GED, some college/no degree, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, and graduate/professional degreeMarital statusNumber and percentage of never married, now married (except separated), separated, widowed, and divorcedFertilityNumber and percentage of women by age group (married and unmarried) who had a birth in the past 12 monthsGrandparentsNumber and percentage of grandparents living with grandchildren under 18 years old by gender, marital status, labor force, and poverty statusResidence 1 year agoNumber and percentage in same house, different house, living abroadLanguage spoken at homeNumber and percentage by language (English only, other than English)Economic CharacteristicsEmployment status (18 years and over)Number and percentage in the labor force, armed forces, employed, unemployed, not in labor force (overall, by gender and race or ethnicity)Occupation of employed labor forceNumber and percentage by major occupationCommuting to work (16 years and over)Number and percentage who drove alone, carpooled, used public transportation, walked, other, or worked at homeIncomeNumber and percentage by income categoriesPovertyNumber and percentage of individuals, families, and children below the poverty level overall and by race/ethnicityHousing CharacteristicsHousing occupancyNumber and percentage of occupied and vacant units overall and by rental and owner-occupied statusHousing tenureNumber and percentage of owner and renter occupied unitsOccupants per roomNumber and percentage by number of occupantsHousing valuesMedian housing value of owner-occupied housingRental valuesMedian rental rate; and gross rent as a percentage of household incomeRESOURCES: www.census.gov; local government planning/community development departments.Table 6.2 provides a series of questions a consensus organizer might ask as he or she analyzes the data. This data, combined with the information obtained through walking and windshield surveys, interviews, news clippings, and Web sites, should help to paint a picture of the community.Table 6.2 Strategic Questions Regarding Census DataGeneral Demographics:What is the size of the population? Is the population growing or declining?Are there more males or females?What is the aveage age? What is the age range? Are there a lot of children in the neighborhood? Are there a lot of elderly in the neighborhood?Is the community homogeneous or heterogeneous in terms of race or ethnicity? What are the major racial and ethnic groups?What is the major type of household? What is the household and family size?What observations can you make about who lives in the community from this data?Social Characteristics:What level of school enrollment is the highest? Lowest?What is the level of educational attainment for most residents?What is the marital status of most residents?Are there a lot of births overall and/or among those who are unmarried?Are there a lot of grandparents raising grandchildren? What is their status?How stable is the neighborhood based on neighborhood residency one year ago?What language is most often spoken at home?What observations can you make about the social characteristics based on this data?Economic Characteristics:What is the employment status of most residents?Where do those in the labor force work? How do they get to work?What is the income level of most residents? Are the incomes of residents spread among the income ranges, or are they clustered? If clustered, how?What is the poverty level overall, among families, children, and different racial groups?What observations can you make about economic conditions based on this data?Housing Characteristics:What is the vacancy rate? Does it seem high or low?Are the occupied housing units mostly owner- or renter-occupied? Do the occupancy rates, housing values, and rental rates seem high or low?What observations can you make about housing conditions based on this data?Overall:Do some data stand out (i.e., higher poverty rate than you expected, more elderly, and so on)?What kinds of patterns do the data present? What conclusions can you draw from the data?Using Geographic Information Systems in the Community AnalysisGeographic information systems (GIS) can help community organizers track their initiatives better, as well as make this information more accessible to residents and other key stakeholders they are working with. GIS allows organizers to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, display, and integrate spatial (e.g., geographic) and nonspatial data (e.g., administrative data such as census data; Maguire, 1991). For example, information on housing conditions, population characteristics, land use, neighborhood institutions and assets, social services, and public safety can be stored and analyzed using GIS (Coulton, 2005).Consensus organizers can use GIS to map and plot the data collected through the community analysis. Mapping helps create a visual snapshot of the neighborhood that is easy for everyone to understand, from financial stakeholders to residents at a neighborhood meeting. For example, a simple color-coded map depicting homeowners’ properties and rental properties can convey a statistic more quickly than presenting raw numbers. Mapping also becomes a strategic tool in community organizing efforts. For example, Figure 6.1 displays hypothetical information a consensus organizer could collect from his or her initial round of interviews for the community analysis. Figure 6.1 displays the areas of greatest concerns to residents, including housing conditions, crime, and out-of-school youth. Each home in the area is coded to indicate the priority concern of each resident whom the organizer has interviewed. As the organizer continues to develop relationships in the neighborhood, other patterns may emerge; however, the initial snapshot is helpful in building connections among residents regarding common concerns and working with residents to develop initial solutions to address their concerns. For example, Figure 6.1 demonstrates that residents on Catalpa, Ravenwood, Shelton, and Auburn Streets are concerned about crime. Perhaps this is an area where the organizer can begin to bridge relationships between residents and help them develop a small project, such as a neighborhood watch group, to begin to address crime issues.Figure 6.1 A GIS Mapping—A Tool for Stategic OrganizingFigure 6.2 demonstrates another example, using census data to plot information about children in the neighborhood. The map displays households in the target area with children under age 6, school-age children, and no children. Using this data, the organizer may be able to help residents work with agencies to target programs more effectively. For example, organizers from the Family Service Association in Dayton, Ohio, used a similar map to work with residents to target school-age children for summer programs being offered in their neighborhoods as part of a redevelopment effort. Instead of a generic mailing, a map was developed to display the homes where youth lived who were eligible for the program. The agency developed a door-knocking campaign to get the word out about the program, targeting the homes with eligible children. These strategies produced a tremendous response, and the agency was extremely successful in generating participation in the program.Figure 6.2 A GIS Mapping—A Tool for Program Planning and OutreachWhile data collection and GIS mapping are ongoing strategies that can help inform the organizer’s work and the development of specific organizing strategies, nothing replaces information gathered in “real time.” Neighborhoods are fluid places where change is constant. It is important for the organizer to continue to build relationships as a primary method for gathering information on changes in the neighborhood as they occur, and for uncovering new concerns and issues that residents care about.Strategic Questions for Step OneWhile consensus organizers are gathering information on communities, they are simultaneously analyzing the information and piecing it together, analyzing the community’s strengths and weaknesses, important historical events that have left an impression on residents and can influence the current organizing effort, the major resources inside and outside the community, its appearance, characteristics, and relationship to the wider community or metropolitan region. Table 6.3 presents strategic questions that consensus organizers can ask as they gather information about a community and piece it together. Use these questions to sort through and analyze what you have found out about the community, and determine what you still need to know in order to understand the community better.Table 6.3 Strategic Questions for Step One of the Community AnalysisName and Boundaries:What is the formal name of the neighborhood/community? Is there a nickname?Do residents call the neighborhood a different name from city officials? If so, what name do they call the neighborhood?What are the boundaries of the neighborhood? Are the boundaries contested? If so, how? Are they determined by natural or manmade markers, or are they more psychological? Are they determined by differences with neighboring communities (e.g., in racial or ethnic composition, income, or housing stock)?Is the neighborhood isolated or is it linked to a larger community in a significant way? Explain.History and Current Conditions:When was the neighborhood founded? Who were the first immigrants or its earliest inhabitants? Who are the most recent immigrants? How has the population changed over time?What historic events have occurred in the neighborhood? What effects have they had on the community (positive and negative)?What prior efforts (by government, agencies, institutions, and/or other community groups) have occurred in the neighborhood? What impact did they have? How do people feel about those efforts?What are race relations like in the community? What perceptions do insiders and outsiders have about race relations?What is the employment rate? Is it high, low? Where do people work and how do they get there? Are there visible public transportation outlets?What types of families live there? Are there a lot of grandparents raising grandchildren?What is the major political party? Is it active? Are people registered to vote? Do they vote?Gathering Places/Sense of Community:Where do people seem to gather?Are there playgrounds or parks or other places people meet? What activities take place there? What kinds of crowds do they draw?Is there a strong sense of continuity and identification with the locale? Are there formal and informal mechanisms for communication?Is there a sense of community? Is the neighborhood transitory, fragmented, or more cohesive?Resources, Institutions:Institutions and Organizations: What major community institutions and organizations are located in or very near to the neighborhood, including schools, hospitals, major employers, large community centers, public libraries, cultural organizations, religious organizations, and the like? What are their service boundaries?Housing: What type of housing exists in the community? Is it mostly composed of single-family units, apartments, townhouses, public housing, or some other type? Are homes mostly renter- or owner-occupied? What condition is the housing in? Are there a lot of vacant units?Commercial District: How active and diverse is the commercial district? Is there one or two major employers? Is it identified with the neighborhood or removed from it? Do many residents work there? What kind of commercial activity is there? Is it a gathering place for residents? Is there a lot of foot traffic? Is there adequate parking? Are there many vacancies and boarded-up storefronts?Discussion Questions1.What is purpose of Step One of the community analysis? How is this purpose the same and/or different than other types of community studies, including conducting a needs assessment?2.What strategies does a consensus organizer use to gather information for Step One of the community analysis? How are these strategies the same and/or different than how information is gathered for other types of community studies, including needs assessments?3.What are the most important things that you would want to learn during this step? How do you think these things could help you as you begin to meet with community residents?Case Study ExerciseInstructions: Read the following case study on the Consensus Organizing Demonstration Program (CODP) and the Palm Beach County, Florida Development Team, which utilized consensus organizing to expand the community development industry in areas where it had not previously existed. This case study will also be used in Chapters 7 and 8 and in the Wrap-Up for Section III. Break into small groups to complete this exercise, and then have a large group discussion to share your answers.Step One of the Community Analysis: Palm Beach County Development TeamThe Consensus Organizing Demonstration Program (CODP) grew out of Mike Eichler’s work with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) in the Mon Valley, Pennsylvania and in Houston, Texas (Eichler, 2007). LISC is an intermediary that raises funds nationally from foundations and corporations for community development. LISC uses these funds to match funds that are raised locally by corporations, financial institutions, and foundations. The CODP was designed to test the consensus organizing model in other areas of the country and expand the national community development industry into places where it had not previously existed (Chaskin, Brown, Venkatesh, & Vidal, 2001). The three initial CODP sites included Little Rock, Arkansas, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Palm Beach County, Florida (Eichler). Eichler assisted LISC in selecting these cities by making a series of site visits to conduct a preliminary community analysis, speaking with residents and other individuals familiar with low-income neighborhoods in the area, including corporate, government, social service, and philanthropic leaders (Gittell & Vidal, 1998). The two most important criteria for inclusion in the program were “demonstrated need for community development to give the program credibility, and a pool of motivated prospective volunteers with leadership potential—to permit the program to achieve the desired scale” (Gittell & Vidal, 1998, p. 71). In addition, the potential sites had to have corporate sector leaders who would support the initiative with their time and resources.Core Strategies and Program DesignThe core strategies of the Consensus Organizing Demonstration Program included (Chaskin, Brown, Venkatesh, & Vidal, 2001):broad-based involvement from the neighborhoods selected and activities designed to achieve tangible results in those neighborhoods;teaching real estate development to volunteers in neighborhoods in a clear, straightforward manner;engagement and leadership development of members from the neighborhoods and the external power structure;parallel organizing in the neighborhoods and among members of the external power structure;connections and relationships developed among neighborhood stakeholders and external players; andthe potential for success (versus the extent of neighborhood needs and problems) was used to motivate residents and build their confidence.Each CODP site had a local coordinator and three community organizers, whose first job was to conduct a community analysis of nine to 12 potential neighborhoods for the local program (Gittell & Vidal, 1994). The community analysis was intended to create “healthy competition among neighborhoods, establish momentum for organizing efforts in the neighborhoods selected, and further [community]-wide support and enthusiasm for Development Team efforts” (Gittell & Vidal, 1994, p. 7). Six neighborhoods would be selected based on the potential to engage and develop diverse, indigenous leaders, the community’s interest in the program, and residents’ willingness to volunteer to improve their neighborhoods (Gittell & Vidal, 1994). In addition, potential red flags were assessed, including identifying other competing community development efforts and recent negative experiences with community development that would make it difficult to engage volunteers. Other red flags included a blatant lack of public investment in the community.Step One of the Community Analysis: Findings From Palm Beach CountyWhen the demonstration program began in 1991, Palm Beach County had a strong economy, a very low unemployment rate (5%), and rapid population growth (Gittell & Vidal, 1998). However, there were significant income and racial disparities among the population between the wealthier areas (e.g., Palm Beach Island along the Atlantic Ocean) and most of the older neighborhoods located along the railroad tracks running parallel to the Intracoastal Waterway. These poor communities had suffered historically from racism and neglect, had the highest concentration of poverty and minorities, and lacked affordable housing, infrastructure, and other community resources (Gittell & Vidal, 1998).Each consensus organizer was assigned three neighborhoods in which to conduct the community analysis. During Step One, the organizers gathered information about the history and characteristics of the following nine Palm Beach County neighborhoods: Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Lake Worth, Limestone Creek (located in unincorporated Palm Beach County), Northwest Riviera Beach, Lake Park, Pleasant City, Grandview Heights/Flamingo Park, and Northwood. (The last three neighborhoods are located in the city of West Palm Beach.)Table 6.4 highlights the main demographic characteristics of the nine neighborhoods from the 1990 and 1992 census data. And, by the way, back in the early 1990s the organizers had to look up the census data by hand—it wasn’t accessible on the Internet yet! Compared to the county as a whole, the nine neighborhoods had significantly lower median household incomes, and a higher minority population. Furthermore, they had higher percentages of renter-occupied and vacant housing and were much poorer than the county as a whole. Pleasant City had the highest percentage of individuals on public assistance (55%) versus the county as a whole (11%).Table 6.4 Demographic Information—Step One—Community Analysis—Palm Beach CountyCounty DataGrandview/FlamingoNorthwoodPleasant CityLimestone CreekNW Riviera BeachLake ParkLake WorthBoynton BeachDelray BeachGeneral DemographicsPopulation863,5183,50613,7042,0841,944*4,6436,7047,2788,44210,126Race/ethnicityWhite87%53%42%17%2%1%76%53%14%9%Minority13%47%58%83%98%99%24%47%86%91%Social CharacteristicsAge 25+ no diploma21%38%34%55%22%*27%23%38%40%64%Economic CharacteristicsMedian HH income$32,524$24,030$24,159$14,845$38,723*$17.590$29,159$20,540$22,600$22,141Unemployment rate5%14%11%10%17%*10%19%21%10%8%Labor force part. rate43%71%65%61%65%*69%61%65%63%69%Very low incomeN/AN/A17.4%40%16.5%*30%N/AN/A25%25%Low incomeN/AN/A28%40%20%*30%N/AN/A45%40%HH with public assistance11%7%18%55%4%*41%10%16%51%53%Housing CharacteristicsVacancy rate9%13%15%24%9%*12%13%21%13%15%Renter occupancy25%50%45%84%16%*42%42%52%35%49%Note: The first four neighborhoods are located in the City of West Palm Beach; HH = household.*Limestone Creek combined with higher-income area of Jupiter, FL.Sources: Gittell and Vidal, 1998; U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1990 and 1992.The consensus organizers discovered that two of the communities (Pleasant City and Lake Worth) both had organizations that were formed to do community development; however, these organizations were relatively new (Gittell & Vidal, 1994). Pleasant City’s group was formed by local pastors and was composed primarily of nonresidents. Lake Worth’s group was formed by the Lake Worth Concerned Citizens, who were primarily white homeowners concerned about the physical deterioration of the community.None of the other communities had a community development corporation (CDC). Residents and business owners in Delray Beach were very active in local organizations, and were most interested in improving the West Atlantic Avenue area of the city. Residents in Riviera Beach were developing programs to help neighborhood youth stay away from drugs, and were interested in improving the northwest area of the city. The census data on Limestone Creek was skewed because if its inclusion with the higher-income area of Jupiter; however, the organizer was able to better understand the area when he visited and conducted walking and windshield surveys in the community. Limestone Creek was a very small, unincorporated community in northern Palm Beach County with approximately 200 to 300 families, many of whom were longtime residents. While there was clearly a blatant lack of public investment (e.g., lack of paved roads, water and sewer), several residents and church leaders wanted to improve their neighborhood and were interested in the program. Residents and business owners in Boynton Beach were interested in improving a deteriorated section of the community along Martin Luther King Boulevard. The Grandview Heights and Flamingo Park neighborhoods had strong neighborhood leaders working on efforts to fight crime and improve housing; however, these neighborhoods were undergoing a process of gentrification. Northwood was a deteriorated community, but past conflicts among residents and existing groups continued to fester over time. Lake Park was a primarily white community and was brought to the attention of the development team because of its proximity to deteriorated sections of Riviera Beach.Historically, migrant and domestic workers lived in the lower-income and minority neighborhoods along the railroad tracks in Palm Beach County. For example, many of the domestic workers for the wealthy families in Palm Beach lived in Pleasant City because of its location directly across from Palm Beach. In Limestone Creek, the original settlers were migrant workers for the local orange grove, who decided to make the community their home.Questions About the Case Study on Palm Beach County1.What criteria were used to select the three main sites for the Consensus Organizing Demonstration Program (CODP) in Palm Beach County, Little Rock, and New Orleans?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2.What were the core strategies of the CODP?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3.What were the overall goals of the community analyses completed in the neighborhoods in Palm Beach County?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________4.What did the consensus organizers do in Step One of the community analysis in Palm Beach County?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________5.What preliminary observations can you make about the nine potential communities, based on the information presented in this case study? What else would you want to learn about these communities? What would you do to get this information?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________In-Class Exercise: Getting Started on Step one of the Community AnalysisInstructions: Select a community that you are familiar with (e.g., the neighborhood you grew up in, the one where you live or work now). Use Worksheet 6.1 to start thinking about what you already know about the community, and what you would still like to learn about. Approach this exercise as if you were a consensus organizer who was recently hired to work in this community. Afterwards, answer and discuss the following questions in a large group.1.What aspects of your community are you most familiar with? Why?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2.What do you still want to learn? Why?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3.Where and how would gather information about your community? What steps would you take?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________4.Why do you think the information gathered in Step One of the community analysis is important for community organizing? How would you use this information?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Worksheet 6.1 Community Analysis Step One—Community History, Culture, and CharacteristicsInstructions: Select a neighborhood (one you live and/or work in). What knowledge do you have about the neighborhood? What areas do you still want to learn about? Please complete the following table and describe something you know about the neighborhood’s history and characteristics and what you would still like to know.Name of Neighborhood: ________________________________________________________History, Culture, & CharacteristicsDescribe one fact about this neighborhood regarding the following areas:Describe something you would still like to learn about this neighborhood:Neighborhood history, such as:What is the history of the neighborhood?What are some of the strengths and challenges it has faced?How has the neighborhood changed over time?Current residents, such as:How many people live in the neighborhood?What are their ages?Are there many children? Elderly?What is the racial or ethnic composition of the neighborhood?Physical conditions, such as:What is the vacancy rate for housing?What is the percentage of renter- versus owner-occupied housing?What does the community look like?Are there parks or other areas for recreation?Economic ConditionsWhat is the unemployment rate?Where do people work?What is their average income?Is there a business district? What types of businesses are located there? Are they owned or run by residents?Is there a large employer in the area? How many residents work there?Social ConditionsHow well do people know each other?What clubs and activities do people participate in?Are there places where people gather? Where are they?Is there a sense of community?Political ConditionsDo people vote?What party do they belong to?Who are the local, state, and national representatives for the area? How responsive are they to local concerns?You can find some of the above information at the following locations:City or county planning departments, local libraries, organizations, chambers of commerceU.S. Census Bureau, community and organizational Web sitesInterviews with community residents, businesses, organizations, and agenciesWalking and windshield surveysField ExerciseInstructions: For this field assignment, select a neighborhood in which you will conduct an actual community analysis, and subsequently work with residents to design a consensus organizing intervention. You will use the same neighborhood to complete Steps Two and Three of the community analysis in field exercises in Chapters 7 and 8. Potential neighborhoods could include:the neighborhood where you are doing an internship or field placement,the neighborhood where you live and/or volunteer,a neighborhood where your employer is located or provides services,a neighborhood in which you currently work, anda neighborhood you are interested in learning more about.At this stage of the community analysis, gather census data, information on community resources, and historical information. In addition, conduct both a “walking” and a “windshield” survey of the targeted neighborhood. For the walking survey, choose a location that is an active area of the community (e.g., preferably a business district) and walk through the area during the daylight hours. For the windshield survey, drive through the community and get a visual picture of the community. Create your own tables to present the demographic information from the census data comparing the data over time (e.g., the year 2005 with 1995). UseTables 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3 to assist you in conducting this step of the community analysis.Suggestions for StudentsStudents completing this assignment could use it for a number of purposes, including:To assist your field or internship agency to reach out to a neighborhood they currently work in, and/or a new neighborhood to develop and/or expand programs and servicesTo assist a community organization located in the target neighborhood to reach out to the community to engage new membersTo become involved in a neighborhood organization located in your own community.Suggestions for PractitionersPractitioners could use this assignment for a number of purposes, including:to develop community-based programs in the neighborhoods you are already working in,to engage and develop relationships in a new neighborhood, andto expand current programs in existing and new neighborhoods.Use the following questions to write up an overall summary of your findings, including:1.What tentative inferences or conclusions can you draw from the information you have gathered so far?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2.How does the factual data (i.e., census data) compare with what you observed?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3.What do you think are the potential strengths of the community?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________4.What are some of the issues that residents and other community stakeholders might want to address?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________5.Are there important institutions or organizations that you should consider in addressing community problems? If so, which ones? What makes these institutions important?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ReferencesChaskin, R. J., Brown, P., Venkatesh, S., and Vidal, A. (2001) Building community capacity. New York: Aldine De Gruyter.Coulton, C. (2005). The place of community in social work practice research: Conceptual and methodological developments.Social Work Research, 29(2), 73–86.Eichler, M. (2007). Consensus organizing: Building communities of mutual self-interest. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.Gittell, R., & Vidal, A. (1998). Community organizing: Building social capital as a development strategy. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.Gittell, R., & Vidal, A. (1994). Community organizing as a development strategy: Interim report on Palm Beach County. New York: Graduate School of Management and Urban Policy, New School for Social Research.Maguire, D. J. (1991). An overview and definition of GIS. In D. J. Maguire, M. F. Goodchild, & D. W. Rind (Eds.), Geographic information systems: Principles and applications, Vol. 1, Principles (pp. 9–20). New York: John Wiley & Sons.U.S. Bureau of the Census. (1992). Census of population and housing, 1990. STF3A. Washington, DC: Author.
