This workbook examines how communities have turned threats to their well-being into opportunities through a process of transformation. It tells the stories of eight communities as they broke out of a vicious cycle of disadvantage and despair and moved into a cycle of hope and action that turned their visions into reality.

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Contents

Section I: Introduction - Community Transformation: New Approaches for a New Day

• Changing Urban and Rural Challenges
• Building on Assets for Community Transformation
• A Different Approach: Meaningful Stories for Everyday Practitioners
• Facing the Threats and Seeing the Opportunities Using this Book

Section II: Transformation in Communities: What Really Happened?

• Transforming Disinvestment into Opportunity: East Harlem Pathmark Project, Abyssinian Development Corporation; Harlem, New York
• Transforming Economic Crisis into Opportunity: Maine Fisheries Project, Coastal Enterprises, Inc.; Maine
• Transforming Institutional Abandonment into Opportunity: Bethel New Life, Inc., Beth-Anne Life Center; Chicago, Illinois
• Transforming Traffic into Opportunity: Unity Council, Fruitvale BART Transit Village Initiative; Oakland, California
• Transforming Outside Development Pressure into Opportunity: Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative, Urban Village Strategy; Boston, Massachusetts
• Transforming Untapped Talents into Opportunity: Mercado Central, Interfaith Action; Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Transforming a White Elephant Building into Opportunity: The Power Center, Pyramid Development Corporation; Houston, Texas
• Transforming Buried Culture and History into Opportunity: 18th and Vine Development Initiative, Black Economic Union of Greater Kansas City; Kansas City, Missouri

Section III: Transformation in Your Community

• Guidelines and Principles
• Community Base
• Assets
• Elements of Strategy and Process
• Early Development Considerations
• Variety or Roles
• Synergy Works
• Policies Matter

Section IV: Some Useful Stuff

• Contact Information
• Core Principles of Community Building—National Community Building Network
• Neighborhoods, Regions, and Smart Growth Project— National Neighborhood Coalition
• Roles in Community Building—Development Training Institute
• Community Economic Development Policy Agenda—National Congress for Community Economic Development
• New Urbanism Basics—Congress for the New Urbanism
• Community Impact Questionnaire—Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative
• Sample Employment Training Agreement—Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
• Partnerships—A Guide to Understanding Partnerships
• Strategic Planning for Neighborhood Development: A Decision Tree