Disinvested neighborhoods did not get to their current state overnight, nor will they change overnight. There are complex factors that contribute to the need for a revitalization effort—systemic injustices, damaging narratives, costly dilapidated infrastructure, just to name a few. 

This is why we recommend Neighborhood Based Organizations who are serious about leading a Love Your Neighborhood initiative to make a 10-year commitment to serving as lead agency. 

Genuine transformation occurs at the speed of relationships, and it takes time to build trust. The fun is in the process itself, so in a very real sense neighborhood revitalization begins the very first conversation with a neighbor. Enjoy the journey!

One person who is committed, invested, and owning a vision for change has the potential to effect great change in any community. However, the old axiom, “If you want to go fast, go by yourself. If you want to go far, go with others,” definitely applies to neighborhood revitalization. 

The short answer: the more residents engaged and participating the better. 

We recommend having a small leadership team that includes neighborhood residents participating in decision making and at least one dedicated staff working with the Neighborhood-Based Organization to keep the work driving forward. 

The core of the work is a willingness to meet neighbors and build relationships. Add to that a posture of humility, the ability to constantly learn and adapt, grit and determination, and a long-term commitment, and you have the necessary resources to lead a neighborhood revitalization initiative. 

The evidence-based practice of Assets-Based Community Development demonstrates that successful initiatives have the basic ingredients of identifying local assets and actively working to make connections between residents and these resources. Leading an initiative then requires an “activator”- an individual, association or institution that initiates the connection. 

Assets-Based Community Development operates on the belief that everything needed for the change a community desires to see already exists within the community itself. This is how you can build a sustainable community from the inside out. 

The greatest cost is in the investment of neighbors themselves—activating their talents, gifts, skills, and resources into the change process. 

For those looking to serve as a Lead Agency, we created a sliding-scale recommended financial investment into a Love Your Neighborhood initiative for Neighborhood-Based Organizations starting at $30,000 for a minimal approach and moving up to $180,000 annually for the most comprehensive approach. The final decision will be based on the capacity of the NBO and desires of the community.

The Love Your Neighborhood framework and approach to neighborhood revitalization is technically “faith-neutral.” 

Community One, the organization developing the Love Your Neighborhood, is a Christian Community Development Corporation. We believe that everyone should bring their full selves to the community change process, and for us that includes the Christian faith which serves as a foundation and motivation for loving our neighbors and creating communities of belonging where every person can flourish. 

Many of our resources and coaching materials will be rooted in the Way of Jesus. However, we believe anyone would feel comfortable using the logic model and tools in the toolkit regardless of personal faith expression.