Let’s say you are part of an advocacy group that promotes the health benefits of vegetarianism.

You attend a community town hall where residents speak their concerns over what’s occurring in the community and request resources that can benefit the community.

You stand up to the microphone, introduce yourself and your advocacy group, and make a suggestion to host a gathering for residents on vegetarianism. You share all the good statistics: Eating a plant-based diet high in fiber, folic acid, and a whole bunch of vitamins can reduce high cholesterol, lead to better weight management, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart disease. You make a suggestion of having your group facilitate a number of workshops in the community.

A resident raises her hand and stands up. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables sounds good and all, she says, but she and other residents have tried unsuccessfully to bring a farmers market to the community. There’s community support for a farmers market as it will aid in increasing food security in the community, but there are concerns that getting food at a farmers market will be more expensive compared to the community grocery store. Also, the community cannot decide which area would be best to have the farmers market. The community grocery store is located near the community’s most used subway station. And speaking of the grocery store–it’s not a very pleasant shopping experience. Not only does the meat smell rancid, the fruits and vegetables look questionable. Many of the items are past the expiration date, and the store’s electronic benefits transfer (EBT) system doesn’t work most of the time. Having a farmers market in the neighborhood will not only give the community another option to buy food, but they can also use their EBT cards to buy items at the farmers market.

Another resident stands up. He’s interested in creating a community garden because he likes the idea of growing his own food so he doesn’t have to deal with the community grocery store. There are plenty of vacant lots in the community, and he knows of a large lot of land near the community’s recreation center. There’s a”For Sale” sign but he doesn’t know the first thing in purchasing land and wants to know if other member are interested in buying the lot with him.  In fact, he has no idea how to grow fruits and vegetables.

One of the most social-worky phrase you will ever hear is “meet the client where they’re at”. When you’re working with an individual (or a community, for this example), you may have your own agenda. Despite best intentions, if you can’t understand what matters to the community, their concerns and their successes, you will never find a way “in”.  In order to build a connection between yourself and the community, you have to establish trust. Your advocacy group’s ultimate goal is helping communities eat healthier, and this community is interested doing that, but maybe not in the way you envision. So, what’s one way to marry your goal to the goals of this community?

Conduct a community asset map.

What is community asset mapping? 

In last week’s blog post, we discussed how it’s easier to focus on the problems. A community asset map identifies the strengths.

Community asset mapping identifies community strengths and resources, uncovers underutilized strengths and resources, and helps communities develop solutions to community needs. It’s ideal for:

• Thinking about and identifying strategies to build on community assets
• Develop strategies in using assets to address community needs
•  Involves the work of the community, leading to empowerment and ownership

An asset is anything the community identifies that adds to the community’s quality of life. This looks differently from community to community.  Some assets may include:

• A recreation center for physical and social activities
• Grocery stores
• Places of worship
• Schools and an active parent-teacher association
• Local library
• Neighborhood Watch, police precincts and fire departments
• Hospitals, clinics and pharmacies
• Businesses that hire community members
• Nonprofits that provide programs and services that benefit the community
• Access to transportation (bikes, subways, buses, etc.)
• Community leaders

Are there any disadvantages to community asset mapping? 

• Community buy-in: Buy-in is directly correlated to trust, and while you can map of assets on your own, you’re still an outside (unless you actually live in the community). Plus, what’s consider an asset to you may not be to the community, and vice versa. Buy-in also means commitment to keeping the community up-to-date. Community residents must revisit and update the assets on an agreed-upon frequency.
• You will need to know the physical location: A community asset map not only shows what assets are in the community, but where they are. If you don’t know where they are, how will community members access it?
• Community parameters: To avoid identifying assets that aren’t part of the actual community, you will have to know the physical boundaries of the community. In New York City, for example, there are 5 boroughs, 59 community districts, and a lot of neighborhoods within each borough. To remedy this, you can look for your community’s zoning map, like this one for New York City. Or you can focus on the entire community.

What are some useful ways in using a community asset map?

• Program or service development: Identifying what already exists in the community can help to decide if a new program or service will be a viable addition to the community.
• Asset mapping shows what already exists, and where resources are lacking: You don’t need to reinvent the wheel, and identifying what already exists can aid in improving those resources.
• It leads to community organizing: This ties into community buy-in. When communities have an invested interest in making their communities better, it can encourage them to lobby their local officials in making change happen.

Creating a community asset map:

Now that you know the community is interested in expanding their access to fresh foods, and that farmers markets and community gardens are two avenues they’re interested in taking, assemble community residents and some of your advocacy group members to help identify community assets, with a stronger emphasis on food sources. Focus on assets within residents’ immediate areas or landmarks as what the city formally identifies as a boundary may conflict with the community’s perceptions of their neighborhood.

You can walk around neighborhoods, or even utilize sources like online searches, city directories, the local Chamber of Commerce, the United Way, newspapers, feedback from neighbors, and community centers. Also consider including community leaders who may be have a pull in bringing resources to the community. Be sure to write down the address and phone number/website of each asset, any local landmarks, the category the asset falls under, and what services the asset offers.

Visualizing a community asset map:

Arrange the assets based on previously identified categories (such as the ones listed above in the “What is community asset mapping?” section). Next, arrange the assets in one of two ways:

• Create a visual representation: Google Maps is a free alternative to mapping software that may be more expensive or cumbersome to use. For an idea of on how to create a visual asset map, check out this video.
• Create list of the assets in a more manual way: This is a great alternative for community members who prefer a tangible list. Arrange the assets based by category, making sure to include addresses, nearby landmarks, phone numbers, websites, and services offered.

Both example can be presented at the community’s town hall meeting, with paper copies and website link available.

Identify where resources are lacking:

Now that we have a list of resources in the community, identify where resources are lacking. In the case of community residents who want to create community gardens and bring a farmers market to the community, they may identify vacant grassy lots that can be used for community gardens. Local church pantries and food banks can be included as well. The local grocery store can be listed. These residents can also identify areas within the community that a farmers market will be highly visible and near a lot of foot traffic.

Now, start organizing

Community asset mapping is a great way to establish trust between a community and someone/organization that is not from the community. It helps communities to identify their strengths and brainstorm solutions to address resources that are lacking. Now that you have your asset map, it’s time to work with the community to bring the community’s dream of a farmers market and community gardens to fruition.