Asset-Based Community Development

Center for Transforming Communities specializes in Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), an approach to community development and community building that focuses on identifying and mobilizing a community's existing strengths - its assets - rather than focusing on its needs or deficiencies. This powerful approach was developed in the early 1990s by John McKnight and Jody Kretzmann at Northwestern University after they recognized that healthy neighborhoods build on their assets and strengths. The introduction of ABCD revolutionized community development nationally and internationally. Soon afterward, the Communities of Shalom movement adopted and adapted ABCD and integrated it as one of the six threads of shalom.  

 

In Memphis, Center for Transforming Communities practices ABCD with our Shalom Zone partners as part of their initial training and through our ongoing technical support and guidance. We also offer regular ABCD workshops and trainings to the public - If you are interested in learning more about ABCD and how asset-thinking could benefit your community or project, please contact us at 901-324-3005. 

 

To learn more about ABCD, visit the Asset-Based Community Development Institute website or go to our blog.