Community Participation

In understanding the needs of the community and identifying problems within the community, it is important for community members to participate in the issue selection process. Not only will issue selection produce community participation, but it will also contribute to community building and community unifying efforts. According to Khinduka’s article (1970), instead of just focusing on the psychological aspect of social change, facilitators should be looking at the socioeconomic issues that could be affecting social change. Joyce also discussed this issue when clients are working with Social Workers or their Family Case Managers. Socioeconomic issues are definitely challenges that contribute to an individual’s willingness to change or be involved …show more content…
As we walked around the facility, Joyce knew everyone’s name and she greeted them as she gave me a tour. I truly felt a sense of community during my time at LAFH and I think that is due to the important role participation and relevance play in community organizing and community building. I also admire the fact that LAFH has many collaborations and partnerships with different agencies and organizations so that they can provide and offer their clients with a variety of helpful services. LAFH seems to be very successful in how they allocate their resources and how they go about in making sure the children and families in their facilities are getting the right kind of help they need. As Cohen, Baer, and Satterwhite mention (1991), it is important that organizations join other agencies and organizations because it is easier to reach goals as a coalition or group rather than on one’s …show more content…
LAFH provides a number of programs and resources to the population they serve. They have built strong and credible partnerships with other agencies and organizations around their population. LAFH is very resourceful in terms of collaborations and use of volunteers. Of those clients who take advantage of the resources offered by LAFH, about ninety percent of their clients stay for about nine months and are able to transition back to a normal lifestyle. Another strength is their efforts in focusing on children. In order to prevent children from falling back into homeless later on in life, education and guidance is provided to them through LAFH. Walking through the facility, all clients reassured me of the successful work LAFH is doing and the great achievements they have reached among the