15 YEARS OF COMMUNITY BUILDING 12 Community Council’s problem solving model opened many residents’ eyes about local problems and identified opportunities for them to initiate change. Listening to individuals’ direct experiences, coupled with solid data, created deeper understandings of the community’s challenges. Participants in Community Council recalled: Community Conversations “gave me so much more appreciation for not only who was in the room, but also about how people feel about this place we call home.” The Affordable Housing Study “completely changed my view of my community.” The Affordable Housing Study “opened my eyes in a different way—how desperately we need to support eradicating these issues.” “All the elected officials in the county benefit in a couple ways—the studies themselves provide background to help educate elected officials, and they also provide local officials support for their votes.” “There is respect in the community for this work. I hear leaders refer to the studies.” Fostering Deeper Understandings of Community Challenges “The thing about Community Council is, they educate and change people.” MIKE RIZZITIELLO City Administrator, City of College Place IMPACTS
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2MTU5NA==