Asset Building
We've written on the importance of economic security and the value of Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) in our community before.
This week, members of United Way for Southeastern Michigan and over 1,000 practitioners, researchers and policy advocates have convened in Phoenix, AZ for the 2006 Assets Learning Conference hosted by the CFED. The sessions are packed with the latest research and findings from the field. To learn more, please visit the conference website here.
The morning began with The Assets Alliance, which provided a foundation for understanding what assets are and the essential role they have in improving lives and communities. For example, assets are generally thought of in three important categories: physical (homes, land, automobiles), financial (cash savings, retirement funds, investments) and human (education, work skills, psychological well being).
What do we mean when we say someone has achieved self-sufficiency and economic security?
For me, the conversation that struck the most resonant chord centered on the most basic yet essential question: What assets do people, families and communities need to achieve their aspirations?
Our needs are fundamentally about our ability to make choices -- decisions to enhance, develop and improve our quality of life.
Our first task is probably to widen our thinking. Though we must focus our efforts to make long term progress, we should encourage out-of-the-box solution building. The IDA program, for example, is a critical strategy to asset building, but alone it simply cannot answer all of the needs facing Southeastern Michigan.
How can we increase the choice sets available to achieve our goals? Are there unique cultural, historical, and institutional barriers we should be aware of in our efforts? What is United Way's role? Business? Practitioners? Policy makers? How can we better collaborate to build from our strengths as a region?
What do you think? What assets -- physical, financial, or human; personal, family or community -- would enhance the choices available for all to enjoy a better quality of life in Metro-Detroit? Share with us by emailing impact.strategy@uwsem.org
This week, members of United Way for Southeastern Michigan and over 1,000 practitioners, researchers and policy advocates have convened in Phoenix, AZ for the 2006 Assets Learning Conference hosted by the CFED. The sessions are packed with the latest research and findings from the field. To learn more, please visit the conference website here.
The morning began with The Assets Alliance, which provided a foundation for understanding what assets are and the essential role they have in improving lives and communities. For example, assets are generally thought of in three important categories: physical (homes, land, automobiles), financial (cash savings, retirement funds, investments) and human (education, work skills, psychological well being).
What do we mean when we say someone has achieved self-sufficiency and economic security?
For me, the conversation that struck the most resonant chord centered on the most basic yet essential question: What assets do people, families and communities need to achieve their aspirations?
Our needs are fundamentally about our ability to make choices -- decisions to enhance, develop and improve our quality of life.
Our first task is probably to widen our thinking. Though we must focus our efforts to make long term progress, we should encourage out-of-the-box solution building. The IDA program, for example, is a critical strategy to asset building, but alone it simply cannot answer all of the needs facing Southeastern Michigan.
How can we increase the choice sets available to achieve our goals? Are there unique cultural, historical, and institutional barriers we should be aware of in our efforts? What is United Way's role? Business? Practitioners? Policy makers? How can we better collaborate to build from our strengths as a region?
What do you think? What assets -- physical, financial, or human; personal, family or community -- would enhance the choices available for all to enjoy a better quality of life in Metro-Detroit? Share with us by emailing impact.strategy@uwsem.org
Labels: Financial Stability
1 Comments:
What constitutes a healthy, vibrant community? For me, it's one where individuals and families have a plethora of resources and a strong network of support. In my community, I can access a number of preschool programs for my daughter (community-based, faith-based, school-based, etc.); my parents live close-by and are a major source of support; our neighbors are a resource (babysitting, information about schools, local govt., etc); we can access our local municipality for information and classes; and so on.
Resources and networks are available in vibrant communities because of market forces -- government is responsive and programs/institutions/services are available because the majority of residents have the level of education and earning power that supports these resources -- we demand them.
For communities that lack certain resources, infrastructure and support networks, we need to create those market forces. We need to provide individuals and families with the opportunity to increase education levels and increase earning power.
Then all of our communities will become vibrant and self-sufficient.
By Annemarie Harris, at 10:25 AM
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