Strengthening Neighborhoods by Developing Community Networks

Many urban neighborhoods are in trouble, as are the youths and families who reside in them. Most vulnerable are neighborhoods affected by high levels of poverty and racial segregation (Massey & Denton, 1993). Changes in employment patterns such as the decline in manufacturing jobs, increasing suburbanization, globalization of jobs, and racial discrimination in hiring have undermined already frail economies (Wilson, 1996). The result has been the unraveling of social ties and community life. Many lament the perceived loss of a sense of community in local neighborhoods. This loss is often characterized by too little communication and too much isolation (Kotlowitz, 1991). Striking is the continuing decrease in interaction among families, which works against community building and mutual problem solving. In addition, the poorest urban communities have become isolated (Wilson, 1996); although many impoverished neighborhoods are located near more affluent areas, the people in the poor communities may be socially isolated from the larger mainstream society. Further, these neighborhoods may have low levels of social control over their immediate environment, including the influences that adversely affect their children. Frequently, families and children receive limited support in coping with the stress of everyday life in a modern, complex society. Consequently, neighborhoods and sometimes families are disorganized and unable to deal with the issues they face. This disorganization has a deleterious affect on young people. Often youths experience what Lerner (1995) called "rotten outcomes," in which children's potential is not realized. Moreover, these weak community structures overshadow opportunities for the optimum development of youths, thus facilitating the survival of gangs and the presence of drug abuse, early pregnancy, and school failure. Spergel (1995) believed that "social disorganization" allows gang activity to thrive and that community mobilization is important to reducing the conditions that allow gangs to develop. Social organization - "the sharing of behavior and outlook in a community," which depends on "the group's isolation from the broader society [and] the material assets and resources they control" (Wilson, 1996, p. 66) - also affects the role of culture. Neighborhoods that feature higher levels of social organization - that is, neighborhoods that integrate adults by means of an extensive set of obligations, expectations, and social networks - are in a better position to control and supervise the activities and behavior of children. Youngsters know they will be held accountable for their individual and group action; at the same time, they know they can rely on neighborhood adults for support and guidance. (pp. 61-62) Similarly, Ianni (1989) discussed the importance of clear community standards, expectations, and structure in supporting children. Coleman and Hoffer (1987) argued that social capital (relationship and organizational skills) is as important as human capital (education and job skills). All suggested the importance of clear expectations, caring and support, and opportunities for participation in fostering youth development (Benard, 1992). Services often are too poorly designed to meet the needs of youths and families from low-income, multicultural communities (Specht & Courtney, 1994) and do too little to contribute to building an overall neighborhood structure. Services and funding are fragmented, which minimizes efforts to build supports. Few incentives are in place that would reduce this fragmentation and encourage coordination. Community members or recipients of services may not be valued or involved in planning processes, which are often centralized and expert driven. As a consequence, existing service arrangements have not always fostered community development or empowerment. Specialization, narrowly focused funding streams, and agency competition for scarce resources have meant that traditional services are not always assessable, affordable, appropriate, or comprehensive. …