At Home in Highlands puts into practice the tenets of Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD). Researchers, Cormac Russell and John McKnight, among others, have developed ABCD as a model for communities the world over.
Asset Based Community Development builds on the assets that are found in the community and mobilizes individuals, associations, and institutions to come together to realise and develop their strengths. This makes it different to a Deficit Based approach that focuses on identifying and servicing needs. From the start an Asset Based approach spends time identifying the assets of individuals, associations and institutions that form the community. The identified assets from an individual are matched with people or groups who have an interest in or need for those strengths. The key is beginning to use what is already in the community. Then to work together to build on the identified assets of all involved.
https://www.nurturedevelopment.org/asset-based-community-development/
Through recognizing the assets in our neighbourhood, (Recovery Acres, landlords, Civida, the core group of AHiH neighbours, persons with lived experiences, etc) At Home in Highlands has developed a foundation of like-minded people who have a common interest. The desire to have an inclusive, diverse, and hospitable community that thrives and is connected is the commonality.
Highlands Community League has adopted Asset-Based Community Development principles and developed Connected Highlands. Connected Highlands aims to engage “a neighbour or two on each block (a Block Connector) who initiates a connection and casual conversations with each household about:
- Community and life on the block and in the neighbourhood.
- Their vision for the neighbourhood
- and the skills, interests and pastimes which they would share with the block or neighbourhood.”
At Home in Highlands is a further reflection of this welcoming community.