How Human Flourishing Works April 14, 2021 How Human Flourishing Works Human flourishing is the end-goal of all holistic neighborhood development work. When we say flourishing, we mean when individuals and neighborhoods are living with joy, purpose, connection, and autonomy. Systemic inequity disrupts... Shawn Duncan
What is Flourishing in Place March 29, 2021 Flourishing in place is the end goal of all of our community development work. We want everyone to Flourish in Place. It’s why we exist at the Lupton Center – to equip change-makers to build neighborhoods that thrive. Any work we do in development or ministry or... Monica Evans
We’re Welcoming 2 New Team Members! March 22, 2021 Join us in welcoming two new members of the Lupton Center team, Candice Kelly and Stacy Brungardt! These dynamic women bring the energy and skills the Lupton Center needs to keep expanding its capacity to equip changemakers. So far, 20 neighborhoods across the... Monica Evans
Our Favorite 4-Letter Word March 17, 2021 “If you could describe your neighborhood in one word, what would it be?” This was a question our team asked of a group of leaders who are using our Flourishing Neighborhood Index. Their neighborhood is one of a handful of unique and storied neighborhoods that make up... Monica Evans
A Holistic Overview of Flourishing and Neighborhoods March 15, 2021 Impact is more important than intent. We live by that, and we emphasize it to every change-maker we work with. At the same time, it’s important to dream! Results are beautiful and important, but they are most inspiring when connected to a grander, captivating vision... Monica Evans
A Faith Small Enough for the Neighborhood March 11, 2021 The spirituality of my young adulthood was fueled by an almost liturgical refrain, “God has great plans for your life.” This summons was intoxicating for me and my university peers. Our lives, our futures, our careers – which we felt we were on the cusp of... Monica Evans
Community Development and Community Organizing January 29, 2021 How Community Development and Community Organizing Work Together As a change-maker, you’ve probably run into the phrases “community development” and “community organizing” many times. But did you know that these two concepts work together for mutual benefit? Today,... Monica Evans
From Community Development to Neighborhood Development January 26, 2021 Community Development was an innovation. Now, we are innovating even further by implementing. Holistic Neighborhood Development. Over 40 years ago, Bob Lupton and his team at Focused Community Strategies questioned the standard nonprofit model. In particular, they... Monica Evans
For White Community Developers: Dismantling the Injustice Within January 21, 2021 “My name is William, and I am an alcoholic. It has been 19 years since my last drink.” This was how a guest speaker in my college class introduced himself. I thought to myself, “Wait. How can you call yourself an alcoholic if your last drink was a... Shawn Duncan
How Development Disrupts Chronic Poverty January 12, 2021 How Neighborhood Development Disrupts Chronic Poverty Let’s get right to it: humanitarian organizations exist for the sake of… humans. Whether you’re doing nonprofit work, faith-based ministry, philanthropy, or volunteer work, your work is all about making life better... Monica Evans