Chapter 4 Intervention with Communities MICHAEL REISCH, PhD University of Maryland

The Roots of Community Intervention In The U.S. Civic participation and voluntarism in the U.S. The Progressive Era The Great Depression The Alinsky Model The Social Movements of the 1960s The Impact of “New Social Movements” International influences

Theories and Models of Community Intervention Theories: Evolutionary, political economy, structural- functionalism, systems, ecological, conflict, symbolic interactionism, social learning, exchange, rational choice, co-construction, feminist and critical race theories Models: Neighborhood and grassroots organizing; organizing in functional communities and existing service agencies; political and social action; advocacy; community-based social and economic development; social planning; program development and community liaison; coalition work; social movement work

Key Concepts and Goals of Community Intervention Concepts: Empowerment; social capital; social justice; civic participation; community competence; collaboration; consensus; conflict; conscientization. Goals: Obtain concrete resources; provide social and psychological benefits; increase the effectiveness of existing services; promote policy or institutional change; enhance the quality of life; promote social justice; empower community members; increase social capital; strengthen intra- or inter-organizational relationships; leadership development.

Contemporary Issues in Community Intervention Impact of economic globalization Demographic and cultural changes Growing social and economic inequality Working with communities of identity Making effective use of new technologies Linking local, national, and international issues Translating social justice rhetoric into practice Building a stronger evidence base for practice

Future Challenges for Community Intervention Clarifying the goals of community intervention Defining the meaning of “success” Developing measures of effective practice Reconciling the interests of multiple actors Defining key terms such as empowerment Using a variety of research methods Linking local and international issues Building and sustaining diverse coalitions Blending geographic and identity-based work