Sharing Our Assets

Sara from MN shared a source of her inspiration and resources to think about how another framework like Asset Based Community Development can inform our programming work.

So, my background has been rooted in community involvement in non-profits, I'm excited to bring that knowledge to my youth programming too.

Last weekend I attended a mini conference on community gardening. It touched on utilizing ABCD (Asset Based Community Development) practices in building healthy relationships. This way of working fits well in a library setting as a location that is connecting it's community to resources, content, and self discovery. I think one of the simplest practices that can drive home this way of working in creating an asset map. It's a simple way to make sure that the people, organization, and programs are being fed and are receiving meaning benefits through the sharing of gifts.

You can learn more about the process in the links below, but I think it's a super tool when thinking about partnerships and relationship building, we at the library must give of our gifts and in turn we get to share the wealth of others. When working on an asset map, the arrows go back and forth in a reciprocal nature.

Asset Based Community Development workbook

Intermedia Arts