Using Concept Mapping to Promote Community Building: The African American Initiative at Roseland |
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| Authors: | John W Ridings Dian M Powell James E Johnson Carrie J Pullie Colleen M Jones Richard L Jones |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Outcomes and Evaluation , Metropolitan Family Services , One North Dearborn Street, 10th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60602, USA;2. Metropolitan Family Services , One North Dearborn Street, 10th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60602, USA ridingsj@metrofamily.org;4. Metropolitan Family Services Calumet Center , 235 East 103rd Street, Chicago, IL, 60628, USA;5. Metropolitan Family Services , One North Dearborn Street, 10th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60602, USA |
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| Abstract: | ABSTRACT While many organizations recognize the value of community building, they often encounter difficulty in actualizing projects and developing tangible results. This article presents how a planning and evaluation method known as concept mapping was used to drive a community building effort by a large not-for-profit organization in Chicago around the issue of at-risk African American male youth. This work grew out of a grant related to the needs of African American families, called the African American Initiative, which was funded by the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. The article describes the first phase of the African American Initiative at Roseland, and lessons learned. Primarily, this study was able to generate a conceptual framework of problems facing African American male youth, which was used to revise previously defined outcomes and also create new ones. In addition, use of concept mapping to drive community building generated reflection on intended and unintended benefits. At the same time, challenges around this approach demonstrate the need for continued research. |
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| Keywords: | Concept mapping community building African American youth outcomes |
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