anizing superior to other forms of social change is that it builds power (ôCommunity Organizing,ö 2005). People do not receive a handout and then become cast aside again. They do not ride someone elseÆs coattails and then find themselves unequal to the arena they have ridden into. They are empowered to achieve on their own. Power is the greatest antidote for social injusticeùboth politically and emotionallyùthat there is. Power is healing to those who have been victims of society without it. It satisfies the needs of those who have been at the mercy of merciless people to walk out from under their bondage. Power redeems lives; it redeems communities.
To start with, then, community builders need to become organized themselves. They must meet with community representativesùthose who are committed to building and empowering the communityùand determine the type of support and input they need from other committed groups and individuals in order to galvanize the community. From politicians, they may need financial support, rezoning or redistricting options, legislative support, the enlistment of supporters at higher levels of government, and the building of community centers, parks, playgrounds, or other community resources to support the type of community being built. Concerned citizens of surrounding communitiesùespecially citizens who have participated substantially in building their own communitiesùcan also be a valuable resource; those who can be of assistance should be invited to join the committee.
Finally, the people of the target community need to participate in their own community planning. There are several reasons for this. First, if they do not participate but just leave the planning to others, they remain disenfranchised. They need to belong to their new community, and that means becoming substantively involved and helping to make decisions. Second, the people need to begin to learn how to be a comm...