The Power to Change

“The Power to Change” is a white paper that offers a fresh approach to community development.  The Power to Change (PTC) presents a theoretical model that promotes the proposition that the role of community development should be to create thriving families. Historically community development models have focused on youth development (generally at the exclusion of families), economics, natural resources and infrastructure.     

The PTC Model offers for adoption three core values: Family, Education and Spiritual and Community Connections.  This model clearly articulates that families are the heart of any community and that the prosperity of communities is reliant upon the success of the families that reside there.   It argues that the home is the first learning laboratory with which children come in contact and hence central to the total development of families is what is taught in the home. Children therefore gain their respect for formal education from their family. The PTC Model recognizes educational institutions as the second most important institution in communities.  Educational institutions greatly influence the quality of life for family members.  This model contends that houses of worship/religious organizations and community-based programming augment the knowledge gained from schools, colleges, universities and trade schools.  The PTC Model also acknowledges the critical role that Faith plays in the sustainability of many families and the sense of belonging that is desired by most.  This model embraces the diversity of spiritual beliefs that exists in communities and supports the notion that community connection is best described by the harmony, integration, and bonding that takes place between and among its members.