have a client that lives in a small town. he'd like to improve it and
make it a better place for his family.  has big ambitions. would like
to know what's out there in terms of resources to help organize his
thoughts, rally like-minded people, and 'biz plan' his vision so that
it could be executed.

Hi! Thanks for the question.

I have assembled here a list of links of sample successful community
development programs. These examples would be able to spur ideas
during brainstorming sessions.

"COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SUCCESS STORIES"
http://www.trdc.org/success.htm

"Leading The Field"
http://www.fundersnetwork.org/usr_doc/53621.pdf

"Fort Worth Grocery Store A Welcome Addition"
http://www.hud.gov/local/tx/community/2002-08-23.cfm

"CDBG and Section 108 at Work in Kansas City"
http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/library/contacts/mo/hedc.cfm

"Success Story - Boston, Massachusetts"
http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/library/contacts/ma/bostonma.cfm

"Community Technology Centers"
http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~ruralma/CTC3.html

Boissevain, Manitoba, Canada
http://216.197.97.151/detail.cfm?ID=32

Ashley, North Dakota
http://216.197.97.151/detail.cfm?ID=13

Aurora, Nebraska
http://216.197.97.151/detail.cfm?ID=31

Harlan County, Kentucky
http://216.197.97.151/detail.cfm?ID=27

Council, Idaho
http://216.197.97.151/detail.cfm?ID=37

Klamath County, Oregon
http://216.197.97.151/detail.cfm?ID=19

17 rural communities in Western Colorado and Eastern Utah
http://216.197.97.151/detail.cfm?ID=64

-----------
In terms of plans, our next links provide sample plans you can use and
modify for the particular community your client wants to develop,

Mauka Area Plan
http://www.hcdaweb.org/plans_rules/maupltoc.asp

Community Development Plans 
http://commpres.env.state.ma.us/content/cdplans.asp#

Community Development Plans (Guidebook)
http://commpres.env.state.ma.us/publications/booklet/book_website/index.htm?

Douglas County 2020 Comprehensive Master Plan
http://www.douglas.co.us/Planning/comp%20plan/2020_comp.htm

Community Toolbox
http://www.ezec.gov/Toolbox/econopp.html

Search terms used:     
community programs "case studies"
community development plans 
         
I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this
answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or if
you would need further information.
         
Thanks for visiting us.          
         
Regards,          
Easterangel-ga          
Google Answers Researcher

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Request for Answer Clarification by holguinero-ga on 11 Apr 2003 06:01 PDT

interesting stuff,but not quite what's needed; my fault for listing
this under government.

but, the focus on this search is to gather up non-government type
stuff that's very family (as in traditional family of
husband/wife/kids) and quality of life related.

the links below deal heavily with growth planning, resource
management, institutions and 'things' vs people.

i'm looking for unique plans that are quite unlike what city
governments, civil planners develop because most towns have some of
that thinking already, and frankly it's mediocre.

the thot process here is that typical city planning is missing it.
they manage public policy and municipal funds perhaps well, but they
build in a huge disconnect between them and the average conservative
family.

city planning tends to be 'fringe'oriented, e.g. facilitating the
handicapped, facilitating all groups of people (nothing wrong with
that, but 'political correctness' tends to go overboard these days).

in fact, the unique plan should be designed to deal with what is
really askew with current typical city planning and strategic thinking
and those elements which in fact have become hostile to traditional
families (like promotion of gay/lesbian festivals, facilitating
nightclubs and other 'adult' and 'male' entertainment, 'laissez faire'
plurality thinking).

can you help with this?

---

Clarification of Answer by easterangel-ga on 11 Apr 2003 08:31 PDT

Hi again and thanks for asking a clarification before making a rating.

I have found some family based community programs. But before I
proceed and find some more, I want to be sure I am on the right track.
Are these the types of programs you are looking for.

"Depression in Older Adults More Common Than Many Realize"
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ehe/geriat.htm

"The New World of Welfare Reform: Research and Education"
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ehe/poverty.htm

Please advise if these types will do and I will try to find more.
Thanks.

---

Clarification of Answer by easterangel-ga on 11 Apr 2003 09:14 PDT

Most of the samples by the way will be coming form College and
University initiatives. Would you accept government types as well if
I'll be able to locate some?

---

Request for Answer Clarification by holguinero-ga on 11 Apr 2003 09:17 PDT

no, sorry. i'm looking for far more general and idealistic stuff. 
where the author describes dealing with the seedy elements of town
that have crept in and installed new ideas like 'pay it forward' or
'random acts of kindness' programs, family-oriented media, etc.

perhaps you can search dissertations and philosophical/religious
sources?

---

Clarification of Answer by easterangel-ga on 11 Apr 2003 09:43 PDT

Is this one example?

http://www.fathersheartnyc.com/ministries/feeding_ministry.htm

---

Request for Answer Clarification by holguinero-ga on 11 Apr 2003 10:10 PDT

kinda. the fathers heart site is a good example of acts of kindness
programs; i'm interested in hearing of these for sure, but they tend
to be singular program driven and what i'm looking for is a global
'knitting' of all kinds of ideas like this into a 'masterplan' that
would make your town a much nicer place to live, especially for
conservative families.

---

Clarification of Answer by easterangel-ga on 11 Apr 2003 17:11 PDT

Hi again! i think the best way to deal with this is to give a concrete
example. if you could provide one of what you require that would be of
great help.

Usually when it deals with towns, it tends to be a singular effort,
like from a government, school or religious entity. Furthermore, when
it comes to towns or communities it tends to be a more local
discussion and not of the global nature.

If you would accept the religious ministries part like my last example
I can give others including plans and guidelines to help you.

Thanks!

---

Request for Answer Clarification by holguinero-ga on 11 Apr 2003 18:58 PDT

don't have concrete example to offer.

---

Clarification of Answer by easterangel-ga on 11 Apr 2003 19:01 PDT

In that case would you accept the church ministries programs? I have
others but not on a global scale. These are the ones which are
available.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by holguinero-ga on 12 Apr 2003 05:46 PDT

are we just talking about one program?  like 'feed the homeless' or
visit those in jail?  if so, sorry, not what i'm looking for.

hey if it doesn't exist, i understand. we can close this one.

---

Clarification of Answer by easterangel-ga on 12 Apr 2003 06:01 PDT

I have to admit holguinero-ga that unfortunately such programs may
have not exist yet and are usually confined on a per community basis
only. I have heard of international programs but usually they are more
just to the feeding of hungry children or the electrification or rural
communities. These are usually done by the World Bank or the UNICEF or
other UN programs. I know these are also not the ones you are looking
for so I will not post them anymore.

Thanks for your understanding and for being considerate.

Best Regards,
Easterangel-ga

i asked a tough question, did not get what i was looking for,
partially because i was not very focused myself, but 4 stars is for
trying and not being obnoxious.

It seems like the asker knows what he doesn't want, but is not sure what he wants.

Dear holguinero-ga, 

What I understand is that you want to improve the quality of life in a
town, and you would like some kind of a blueprint or strategy that is
not related to anything official or governmental. You also mention the
word "conservative," and I'm not sure what you mean by that; and that
could be an important part of any strategy. For example, does it refer
to promoting family values by not having certain kinds of activities,
say blue movies, gambling, drinking alcohol.

Maybe a more positive kind of way of looking at this: what kind of
things would you or your client like to see happening in the town that
is not happening now:

-----  families getting together on outings and picnics,
non-competitive as well as the other;
-----  festivals organized by local people for locals and tourists; 
-----  a higher take-up for community help services like Meals on
Wheels, prisoner ministries, entertaining at old people's homes and
hospitals, and other voluntary work;
-----  more co-operation on issues of local concern; 
-----  and a higher rate of participation in existing activities (e.g.
sports and games, evening classes) and amenities (e.g. parks, trails,
swimming pools, lakes and rivers, mountains and hills, museums and
galleries).


Or is it something more intangible, like people feeling better about
themselves and each other, trusting each other, wanting to help each
other .... You mentioned "pay it forward" and "random acts of kindness
programs".

In the movie of that name, didn't "pay it forward" begin with one
little boy beginning to pay it forward? Isn't that the only way such
an idea can begin, by the willingness of an individual who spreads an
idea just through their own individual actions.  And, for me, the
beauty of the "random act of kindness" idea, as opposed to paying it
forward, is that you help someone out ... without looking for a
result; because the only real result can be how you feel inside of
yourself when you're doing it, and then letting go of a result. As the
bible says, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is
doing.