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What
is this site?
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What role can individual development play in community development strategies?
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"Things can be different because
you are seeing yourself differently. You can get water and sewer
lines in your neighborhood because you see yourself differently.
And there's a direct connection between those two."
Sister Judy Donovan
Lead Organizer, Valley Interfaith
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In my research, I explore the role of individual development and transformation
as an entry point for community development. Specifically, I argue that
individual development is essential to the success of efforts to develop
institutions and communities.
I looked at Valley Interfaith as a way to understand the intersection
of human and community development.
I argue that a critical factor leading to the organization's success is
its careful attention to leadership development, to individual development.
I present my "findings", the voices and testimonies of Valley
Interfaith's leaders as evidence that they have experienced profound changes
as a result of this approach. I suggest that in the context of community
development, changes in individuals and changes in communities are mutually
reinforcing. To read more, go to the "thesis"
page.
What would a conception of community development
look like where we pay the same kind of attention to fostering individual
growth as we do to constructing safe highways, designing public space, and
building strong schools?
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