AGENCY MISSION Skills + Supports = Success AGENCY VISION

2. ALTERNATIVES AGENCY MISSION Skills + Supports = Success AGENCY VISION Real Jobs + Real Homes + Real Relationships = Satisfaction RECOVERY/DISCOVERY VISION Human Resilience + Opportunities for Meaningful Roles = A New Life Purpose

3. SHIFTING PARADIGMS Shifting Paradigms/Models "Interdependence: The Route to Community" - Al Condeluci, Ph.D., 1991 Adapted by Alternatives and Central Mass. Families Organizing for Change

4. ALTERNATIVES THE BIG THOUGHT Even though we preach inclusion, our organizations do little to actively counter the decline of community spirit, and provide services that further isolate all of us.

5. DEFINITIONS IN REDEFINING COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES Community People who live within a geographically defined area who have social and psychological ties with each other and to the place they live Social Capital The resources embedded in social networks among persons and organizations that facilitate effective cooperation and collaboration for the betterment of community. Civic Engagement The active participation in social, political and/or religious activities intended to improve the quality of life in our communities.

6. ALTERNATIVES “Trustworthiness lubricates social life. Frequent interaction among diverse people produces a norm of generalized reciprocity. Civic engagement and social capital entail mutual obligation and responsibility for action.” Robert D. Putnam Bowling Alone

7. From Bowling Alone, Putnam, 2000

8. From Bowling Alone, Putnam, 2000

9. ALTERNATIVES From Bowling Alone, Putnam, 2000

10. Focus on Community Deficits Target Community Assets Invest in Outside Experts Mobilize Civic Engagement Identify Issue “Connections” (stronger communities) “Isolation” (fragmented communities) Identify Issue Community Consume Specialized Services Generate Community Solutions Increase Isolation and Dependence Build Social Capital and Interdependence REDEFINING COMMUNITY… OUR CHOICE Adapted by DHR at Alternatives from Kreztmann, McKnight, Putnam, Fisher, Purdy

11. Severe Distress/ Dev. Disability Loss of control Emotional Distress Use of Relationships for Support Disconnected Relationships Loss/Trauma Restricted Opportunities Included by Society Excluded by Society Retain Control Unbalanced and Isolated Balanced and Connected Loss of Valued Roles Maintain Valued Roles Limited Task Performance Healing Recovery/Discovery by Gaining Control & Connecting Redefining an Individual’s Connections to the Community Adapted by DHR at Alternatives from Fisher, Ahern, Anthony, Kreztmann, McKnight, Putnam

12. ALTERNATIVES TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONS Bonding Organizations (Exclusive) The group focuses its energy inward to reinforce its members’ own identity and accomplish its goals. Examples include: most churches, most human service organizations, fashionable country clubs, etc. Bridging Organizations (Inclusive) The group focuses its energy outward to embrace people across social and economic boundaries and link community assets for the public good. Examples include: civic organizations, ecumenical religious groups, neighborhood organizations, etc. Letterhead (Anonymous) Organizations, staffed by professionals, with a common symbol, that demands little of its members’ energy and contributes nothing to the development of relationships. Examples include: most state and national associations, where “moving a pen” is more important than “making a meeting.”

13. ALTERNATIVES • THE BENEFITS OF SOCIAL CAPITAL • In a number of studies, having higher levels of social capital • have been linked to a variety of beneficial outcomes: • Decreased mortality • Higher self-reported physical and emotional health • Lower levels of crime and violent crime • Improved community problem-solving • Better economic development

14. ALTERNATIVES • Problems that typically face persons with developmental or psychiatric disabilities: • Poor health • Higher mortality • Increased unemployment • Higher levels of isolation • Higher levels of homelessness • Higher levels of crime and violent crime against them • THE VERY PERSONS FOR WHOM SOCIAL CAPITAL MIGHT BE MOST IMPORTANT ARE THOSE PERSONS WITH LEAST ACCESS TO IT • Adapted by Alternatives from 2002 NIMH grant proposal, “Measuring Social Capital for Mental Health Program Participants,” Matthew C. Johnsen, Ph.D., Principal Investigator • O:4/03; Rev: 9/03

15. PRINCIPLES FOR BUILDINGSOCIAL CAPITAL The “Impact” Principle One should evaluate the degree to which any initiative is civically beneficial or harmful by looking through the “social capital lens.” The “Regeneration” Principle The use of social capital generates even more capital rather than depleting it. The community should devise innovative ways of recycling existing stocks of social capital to create new stocks for different needs. The “Bridging” Principle Social harmony and prosperity among diverse peoples is generated by the degree to which connections between individuals reinforce their similarities and de-emphasize their differences.

16. PRINCIPLES FOR BUILDINGSOCIAL CAPITAL The “C2C” Principle Regular folk have much to offer. Strong horizontal communication of “citizen to citizen” and “community to community” is critical in the development of social capital. The “Ask” Principle Social capital and norms of reciprocity are created by both giving and receiving. Asking for help is just as important as volunteering ones’ time and resources. From: BetterTogether.org – The Report of the Saguaro Seminar: Civic Engagement in America

17. People Interactions Vote Volunteer Be a “Good Neighbor” Make a local friend Get involved in community events/issues Join local associations Ask for help Redefining Our Roles:Building Bridges Within the Community ALTERNATIVES

18. CORE COMPETENCIES:COMMUNITY NETWORKING ALTERNATIVES Managing Crises in the Community Intervenes to de-escalate and resolve incidents in the community Marketing Promotes Alternatives’ services and organization Building Interdependence Facilitates individuals’ participation in community associations Creating Community Connections Partners with other local community groups to promote the development of community spirit and opportunities for joint action Soliciting Support Connects with the public to procure resources which are critical to the agency’s mission

19. ALTERNATIVES • Developing Individual Connections • What is it: Developing Individual Connections is becoming an active member of a community association which matches a person’s interest or capabilities. • Benefit: Developing Individual Connections provides opportunities for ongoing social interaction and for the assumption of meaningful community roles. • How: - Decide on an interest • - Identify “The Place” • - Teach Patterns and Rituals • - Find the Gatekeeper • - Maintain Participation • When: When people are isolated within their communities

20. “GOOD NEIGHBOR” TASKFORCESummary of Recommendations/Expectations ALTERNATIVES • Create a Neighborhood Log of names, interests, “pet peeves,” etc. and update it regularly. • Create a Community Networking map that targets associations, clubs and initiatives and update it regularly. • Maintain good neighborhood relationships through “over the fence” chatting, open houses, and neighborhood events. • Connect with local, town and state officials to facilitate open communication around our services.

21. Program Interactions Participate in neighborhood “passions” Link local assets/interests Implement “Give Back” projects Ask for neighborhood involvement Redefining Our Roles:Building Bridges Within the Community ALTERNATIVES

22. ALTERNATIVES CREATING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS What is it: Programs engaging with other local community groups in joint actions that promote the development of social capital and community spirit. Benefit: Creating Community Partnerships provides opportunities for the program to become civically engaged and assume valued roles in bettering the community. How: ● Identify neighborhood passions ● Engage community organizations ● Initiate joint project(s) ● Celebrate successes When: When members of various local associations identify a neighborhood passion or community need that requires joint action.

24. System Interactions Build community coalitions Initiate interdependent actions/Civic engagement Fund community bridging projects Collaborate, Collaborate, Collaborate Redefining Our Roles:Building Bridges Within the Community ALTERNATIVES

25. ALTERNATIVES “Redefining Community” A portion of funds raised from the Valley Friendship Tour each year are used to fund Alternatives' Community Bridging Grant program. Alternatives funds innovative initiatives that develop lasting, interdependent relationships among different people and organizations to build a stronger community for us all. 2001 - 2009 Community Bridging Grant Highlights Tapestry Art Exhibit High School Scholarships Pickwick Players Wrentham Community Garden Family Night at the Bandstand StART on the Street Worcester Art Festival Worcester Citizen Advocacy SAORI Weaving One Act Play Festival on the Mumford St. Patrick’s Church Youth Group Nature Trail

33. Outcomes Interdependent networks Valued roles Social capital Enhanced neighborhood capabilities Community solutions Norms of reciprocity Redefining Our Roles:Building Bridges Within the Community ALTERNATIVES

34. ALTERNATIVES The Whitin Mill Project

46. Why would a human service organization renovate an out-of-work mill? ALTERNATIVES • Commitment to community inclusion • Our responsibility as a non-profit • It is all about reciprocity!

47. ALTERNATIVES • Developing Individual Connections • What is it: Developing Individual Connections is becoming an active member of a community association which matches a person’s interest or capabilities. • Benefit: Developing Individual Connections provides opportunities for ongoing social interaction and for the assumption of meaningful community roles. • How: - Decide on an interest • - Identify “The Place” • - Teach Patterns and Rituals • - Find the Gatekeeper • - Maintain Participation • When: When people are isolated within their communities

48. DEVELOPING INDIVIDUAL CONNECTIONS Citizens participating in community associations through shared interests, the development of trust, and a commitment for joint action

49. ALTERNATIVES • GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A POSITIVE GATEKEEPER • WITHIN A TARGETED GROUP • A Gatekeeper is an indigenous member of an association who has either formal or informal influence with the culture. • Characteristics: • They are positive people – look for the good in everyone they meet. • They are social risk takers – reach out to the underdog. • They are curious and interested in new things. • They tend to be younger people and not so caught up in dogma. • More often than not, they tend to be women. • They are highly social, and tend to be good mixers. • They have respect and influence within their community. • The Gatekeeper gives enough starting value to the new person that he or she can begin the process of cultural acceptance. • Note: Gatekeepers can have positive or negative influence within any group.

50. ALTERNATIVES LEVELS OF CONNECTION Having a Valued Role in the Community: Involves 2 things: Firstly to be valued, and then to have a meaning role. Being valued is based on being known as a person, which suggests the steps or stages that anyone goes through in order to “make a name for themselves.” The following represent some of the steps to becoming known and valued: The following criteria further clarify the nature of a valued role in a social setting. It should be: Accessible – It should be conveniently located and otherwise “reachable” by the person Predictable – It should occur at regular intervals, at a familiar location(s), at consistent times Meaningful – It should be a personally relevant activity that matches the individual’s passion and desire for involvement Reciprocal – It should create opportunities for mutual sharing, give and take relating, etc. Sustainable– It should be long lasting