Community Development Tactic: Holistic Engagement May 20, 2023 It’s wonderful to desire positive change in your community. It’s admirable to want to see neighbors flourish. However, too many current strategies emphasize a limited view of the people we wish to “serve.” In order to join with neighbors in removing barriers to a... Shawn Duncan
Testimonials on Open House April 17, 2023 We were so happy to present our first post-pandemic Open House this March! After such a long hiatus, it felt amazing to be able to showcase the work of FCS and our neighbors in the community of Historic South Atlanta. Throughout the two days, we were able to welcome... Elizabeth Moraff
Client Experience: Ali Parrish of Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity on the Flourishing Neighborhood Index April 4, 2023 We love to hear stories of neighbors and leaders finding creative ways to lift the lives of those who live around them. Today, we’ll be sharing a story from Ali Parrish, Executive Director of Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity. Ali joined with her team and the... Elizabeth Moraff
4 Hallmarks of a Good Neighbor January 30, 2023 Community doesn’t exist without neighbors, and transformation rarely happens without the involvement of great neighbors. Whether they live next door, across the street, and down the block, they are the ones who truly understand your daily life. But what makes a good... Shawn Duncan
Can Neighbors be Friends? January 12, 2023 We all have neighbors, but you may be wondering if neighbors can double as friends. Loneliness has become an epidemic in our modern world. Though the pandemic hasn’t helped, the situation was bad even before COVID. In 2019, 61% of Americans over the age of 18 reported... Shawn Duncan
Are Neighbors Good? December 16, 2022 Should we really care so much about neighbors? Sharing pieces of everyday life with those around you sounds like a nice idea, but is it really necessary? Lots of us would love to have more fulfilling relationships with our neighbors, but is it worth the time and... Shawn Duncan
Why is Sense of Place Important July 15, 2022 Why Sense of Place Matters to Development “A place is only a place.” If you are well-versed in traveling and experiences, you may cast doubt upon author Frank Herbert’s words. They are only true if you deprive a place of its character. Places carry... Shawn Duncan
Sense of Place: A Holistic Overview June 27, 2022 We all know what a thriving community looks like, but it can be tough to nail down WHY we know it’s healthy or what to look for. One of the key pieces we look for when assessing a neighborhood’s health is “Sense of Place.” Like the idea of... Shawn Duncan
Valuable Ways Churches Can Engage Neighborhoods May 17, 2022 Recently, Lupton Center trainer and consultant David Park had the privilege to interview Dr. Dave Kresta to discuss community development. Kresta holds a Ph.D. in Urban Studies and is an adjunct assistant professor at Portland State University. In this interview, they... Shawn Duncan
How to Measure Community Impact March 25, 2022 Impact only matters if we know it’s happening. It is key to Community Development, community-based solutions to uplift the disenfranchised. It’s one thing to implement a plan, but it’s another to understand how a plan reflects your goals. Thus, community Impact... Shawn Duncan