Volunteer programs and initiatives that view residents as assets and seek to engage the local community as an equal partner by empowering, mobilizing and building upon its assets, are best positioned to facilitate sustainable positive change. Whether it is a short term group volunteer project or a long term community initiative, more and more people are becoming neighbors and developing programs that have lasting impact on the communities.

Following are the seven basic strategies that individuals, organizations, and businesses can use when working with under-resourced communities to strengthen families and transform neighborhoods.

1. Understand the language and nature of volunteering in tough communities – Learning the language is an important aspect of working in tough communities.Volunteers are abundant in tough neighborhoods and have a long history of helping, but residents do not usually refer to themselves as “volunteers.” Often called “helping out,” “giving back,” or “neighboring,” the volunteering that takes place is not usually recognized or rewarded and happens more informally through neighborhood associations, churches, and on an individual basis.

2. Overcome barriers to volunteering – Barriers to volunteering include lack of time, financial resources, child care, transportation, as well as low self-esteem and confidence, negative perceptions of volunteering or outside organizations, as well as cultural and language barriers.These must be addressed in order to engage local residents.

3. Empower the communities to help themselves – Residents must own the issues and solutions and must witness the benefit of their involvement in solving their communities’ social problems. Outsiders cannot be “parachuted” into the community to rescue the residents. Residents must be part of the planning and decision-making process.

4. Cultivate community members’ skills and talents – The gifts and talents of the local residents need to be identified and translated into important assets needed to accomplish a project’s goals. Many residents believe they have no talents or skills to bring to the table, but only by building on existing assets within the community can real change be affected.

5. Strengthen existing community leadership – Organizations should identify existing leaders and help develop new community leaders. Local leaders help build community trust and ensure that the local perspectives and experiences are considered and understood.

6. Acknowledge that volunteering is an exchange – All volunteers need to be rewarded for their contributions in ways that make sense and have meaning to them. In tough communities an appropriate exchange could include meals, services such as tutoring, child care subsidies, and job opportunities.

7. Ensure community readiness – Building relationships and involvement takes time. It is a process that needs patience and flexibility. Communities may need help resolving conflicts or problems that are preventing residents’ involvement.