This document provides an overview of asset-based community development (ABCD). It discusses focusing on community strengths and assets rather than deficiencies. ABCD sees community members as producers rather than just consumers of services. It emphasizes empowering community participation. The document outlines different types of community assets - individuals, associations, institutions, physical spaces, financial transactions. It includes examples of skills inventories to identify community members' talents. It promotes bringing together a community's assets to accomplish goals related to important issues through projects, events and other collaborative efforts.
7. Needs Based
Focus on
deficiencies
People are
consumers of
services
Residents observe
as issues are being
addressed
Asset Based
Focus on
effectiveness
People are
producers
Residents
participate and
are empowered
ABCD
12. Name_________________________ Phone________________________ Date__________________________
Health Construction & Repair Food
Caring for the Elderly Painting Catering
Caring for the Mentally Ill Plumbing Preparing for Many People
Caring for the Sick Electrical Serving to Many People
Caring for Disabled People Carpentry Operating Commercial Equipment
EMT or Emergency First Aid Brick and Masonry Baking
Nursing Experience Wall Papering Meat Cutting and Preparation
Nutrition Furniture Repairs Bartending
Exercise Locksmith or Lock Repairs
Building Garages Transportation
Office Dry-wall and Taping Driving a Car
Typing (WPM______) Cabinetmaking Driving a Van
Taking Phone Messages Welding and Soddering Driving a Bus
Writing Business Letters Concrete Work Driving a Tractor-Trailer
Receiving Phone Orders Heating and Cooling Systems Driving a Commercial Truck
Operation Switchboard Flooring and Carpeting Operating Farm Equipment
Bookkeeping Roofing Driving Emergency Vehicles
Computer Information Entry Other_________________________
Computer Word Processing Supervision
Other_______________________ Maintenance Writing Reports
Floor Cleaning/Refinishing Filling Out Forms
Child Care Carpet Cleaning Working with a Budget
Infant Care (0-1 yr) Household Cleaning Recording of Activities
Child Care (1-6 yrs) Lawn Mowing and Yard Work Writing Proposals or Grants
Adolescent Care (7-13) Gardening Planning Projects
Taking Kids on Field Trips Tree and Shrubbery Care Supervising Projects
Pre-school Care Other_________________________
Source: Vitalizing Communities, Community Guide , 1999, J. Allen, S. Cordes, and J. Hart, p. 28
Individual Skills/Assets Inventory
Inventory Tool 1A
13. “What are you
good at?” (assets)
“What are you most concerned
or passionate about?” “We need you.”
25. Look over your group’s collective assets.
Form action ideas from these assets.
Brainstorm actions that connect these assets
to accomplish goals related to your issue.