It is a vision of freeing ourselves from service and advocacy. It is a vision of centering our lives in community. The community experience incorporates a number of strands. Capacity We all remember the childhood question regarding how to describe a glass with water to its midpoint. Community associations are built upon the recognition of the fullness of each member because it is the sum of his or her capacities that represents the power of the group.
Communities depend upon capacities.
Systems commodify deficiencies. It is obvious that the essence of community is people working together. One of the characteristics of this community work is shared responsibility that requires many talents. This collective process contrasts with the individualistic approach of the therapeutic professional and rigidity of institutions that demand that people shape themselves to the needs of the system. Informality Associational life in the community is a critical element of the informal economy.