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Community Organizing and Community Building for Health and Social Equity


Synopsis


Meredith Minkler (editor), Patricia Wakimoto (editor)

Summary

Chapter 1: Introduction to Community Organizing and Community Building

* Summary: Explores the concepts of community organizing and community building, emphasizing the importance of addressing social Determinants of Health and promoting social equity.
* Example: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Healthy People 2030 initiative aims to improve the health of all Americans by addressing social determinants such as poverty, education, and housing.

Chapter 2: Community Organizing: Principles and Strategies

* Summary: Discusses the principles and strategies of community organizing, including identifying and engaging community members, developing goals, and building alliances.
* Example: A local housing advocacy group organizing residents to demand affordable housing by holding rallies, collecting signatures, and lobbying policymakers.

Chapter 3: Community Building: Creating Sustainable Change

* Summary: Explains the importance of community building for long-term sustainability, focusing on building relationships, fostering a sense of community, and empowering residents.
* Example: A neighborhood association hosting community events, creating a community garden, and providing support services to local residents.

Chapter 4: The Role of Evidence in Community Organizing and Community Building

* Summary: Emphasizes the importance of using data and evidence to inform community organizing and community building efforts, including conducting community assessments, evaluating programs, and communicating findings.
* Example: A public health organization conducting a needs assessment to identify health disparities and prioritize interventions in a specific community.

Chapter 5: Partnerships and Collaboration in Community Organizing and Community Building

* Summary: Explores the role of partnerships and collaboration in successful community organizing and community building efforts, emphasizing the importance of involving diverse stakeholders and leveraging resources.
* Example: A coalition of local organizations working together to address food insecurity by establishing a community food bank and providing nutrition education programs.

Chapter 6: Sustaining Community Organizing and Community Building Efforts

* Summary: Discusses strategies for sustaining community organizing and community building efforts over time, including building capacity, developing funding strategies, and fostering leadership.
* Example: A community-based organization establishing a training program to develop the leadership skills of local residents and ensure the continuation of community initiatives.

Chapter 7: Assessing the Impact of Community Organizing and Community Building

* Summary: Examines methods for assessing the impact of community organizing and community building efforts, including using qualitative and quantitative data, and utilizing participatory evaluation approaches.
* Example: A community health center evaluating the success of its health literacy program by measuring improvements in health knowledge and patient satisfaction.

Chapter 8: New Directions in Community Organizing and Community Building

* Summary: Explores emerging trends and new directions in community organizing and community building, including the use of technology, the importance of intersectionality, and the role of community-led research.
* Example: A youth-led organization using social media to mobilize support for mental health services in their community.