{"id":359,"date":"2013-01-08T06:41:00","date_gmt":"2013-01-08T06:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/growpurpose.com\/charlestongood\/?p=359"},"modified":"2013-01-08T06:41:00","modified_gmt":"2013-01-08T06:41:00","slug":"checklist-for-responsible-community-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/growpurpose.com\/charlestongood\/checklist-for-responsible-community-development\/","title":{"rendered":"Checklist for Responsible Community Development"},"content":{"rendered":"
When it comes to supporting fellow citizens in need, Charlestonians go above and beyond in generosity. For every willing donor there are scores of well-meaning nonprofit organizations set up to support people with varying degrees of need. What are the results of those works? Are more people transitioning from need to self-sufficiency? If not, then why?<\/p>\n

For answers to these issues we look to the Focused Community Solutions Urban Ministries<\/a> out of Atlanta, Georgia. By valuing dignity, empowerment and neighboring strategies for nearly four decades, FCS has gone against the grain to achieve the results all need based organizations should seek. Over the course of those years they have developed an eight step code for helpers<\/a> that can be adopted by businesses, non profit and faith based organizations as the litmus test that ensures profitable returns on investment.


1. Learn the difference between crisis need and chronic need.<\/b> – Being displaced from your home because of fire or natural disaster is a crisis. Not having enough money each month to pay for utility bills and because you are underemployed is a ‘chronic poverty need.’ Free giving is a responsible to address housing, medical and other essential supplies in a crisis. Chronic needs are best resolved through ‘expert consultation,…practical plan[s] and a combination of grants and loans’ to help people become financially independent. NOTE: It is impossible to resolve chronic needs with short term commitments.<\/p>\n

2. Investing is better than lending<\/b> \u2013 Investing in the less fortunate ‘is the ultimate method of sharing resources (including expertise, connections, energy). [G]ood investment requires a sound business plan, reasoned risk\/reward ratio, adequate controls and accountability.’<\/p>\n

3. Lending is better than giving<\/b> \u2013 ‘While giving may seem like the kind and Christian thing to do, it often ends up undermining the very relationship a helper is attempting to build. Anyone who has served among the poor for any length of time will recognize the following progression:<\/p>\n