OUR CED MODEL
What is CED?
The Community Economic Development model is an integrated and holistic, place-based strategy designed to strengthen and equip those in underserved communities to take hold of their own destiny and help create flourishing. The implementation of CED varies, but it always begins with economic development (this usually being the greatest felt need), followed by social and spiritual initiatives. As a form of asset-based development, it leverages the strengths of communities to address their strongest identified needs.
Our CED Goals
Equip the poor to prosper through increased income, asset development, and saving strategies.
Develop effective local leadership as measured by diverse social networks, community problem-solving, and successful community actions.
Encourage love of God and love of neighbor, as measured by increased hopefulness and trust in God and redemptive family and community relationships.
ECONOMIC
SOCIAL
SPIRITUAL
Why We Do It
What better gift to those in need than to put into their hands the ability to make a living wage, self sufficiency, and the vision that they can, with a little help and a hand-up from others, pursue their aspirations with greater hope and confidence?
What it Takes to Succeed
CED success depends on understanding and the effective application of several important principles:
COLLABORATIVE
EFFORT
This is not something that we do to or for the poor but rather with them. We play the role of an advisor, there to assist however possible (e.g., as a facilitator, investor, mentor, etc.) to enable growth.
Even the poorest of the poor have assets. Use them. Acknowledging and leveraging their assets not only ascribes dignity and respect to them, but it is also the cipher that breaks the code needed to develop an effective CED strategy for each particular community.
This is the greatest felt need. Financial security is a precursor to any other community initiatives.
ASSET BASED
LEAD WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
