Community Empowerment

Empowerment is the key to community revitalization and organization.  The old adage, “if you give a man a fish he eats for a day, but if you teach him how to fish he eats for a lifetime,” holds true for working with community residents and revitalization efforts.

When people are empowered, amazing changes can occur.  For instance, a single mother learns how to build wealth for her family by purchasing the family’s first home.  A graduate from college finds that credit card debt has resulted in poor credit and develops a plan to reduce the debt.  A Block Association advocates change in the Item Pricing law to allow a new business to be established in their neighborhood.  A Tenant Association sets a plan to eliminate drug activity in their building. A Development Association meets with government officials, and a façade program is developed to attract customers.

These appear to be small changes. However, small changes occurring throughout our neighborhoods have resulted in tremendous changes to our community.  The continued rebirth of our community provides increased opportunities to empower our neighborhoods.  In turn, the empowerment of our neighborhoods has provided the continued rebirth of our community. 

The UNHS NeighborWorks® HomeOwnership tagline, “Your Catalyst for Change” reflects our deep and abiding commitment to community empowerment.  

Copyright 2007 Utica HomeOwnership Center Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without authorization.