Community Development

This book is a guide for leaders seeking to build a community, to strengthen the community they already have, or who may not think of themselves as community leaders but who are envisioning a group they hope to create. These communities can be formal, with official memberships and administrations, or informal, tied by shared values and commitments.

A practical, illustrated guide to using the tools of design to create feelings of inclusion, collaboration, and respect in groups of any type or size—a classroom, a work team, an international organization—from Stanford University's d.school. “This is a beautiful book. Wise has applied the...

As a response to the increasing violence in our culture, the widening ideological divides, and the growing gap in economic well-being, there is greater awareness that a deeper sense of community is desperately needed. But even as we acknowledge the need to build community, the dominant on-the-ground practices about how to engage people, civically and organizationally, remain essentially unchanged. We still believe community is built with better messaging, more persuasion, and social events for people to get to know each other better. All of which is naïve.

299 Days: The Community, the third book in the 299 Days series, reunites Grant Matson with his family after his wife, children, and in-laws accept that the only way to survive the Collapse is to flee the comfort of their suburban lives and join him at his isolated cabin in the woods. With riots becoming more violent, power outages more widespread, and the military crumbling, Grant and others throughout Washington State realize they must organize if they want to endure.

Paradise has a price. A murder. A disappearance. A sinister network. Steels Creek is an idyllic retreat in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. It's a place where everyone knows their neighbours and no one locks their doors. Investigative journalist Lars Nilsson who has moved to the settlement...

An inspirational guide to the 6 core qualities of healthy communities, for anyone looking to build community as a source of connection and a vehicle for social change After two years meeting with different communities in the US, psychologist Lisa Kentgen identified 6 key traits of vibrant...

An embodied guide to being with grief individually and in community—practical exercises, decolonized rituals, and Earth-based medicines for healing and processing loss We live in a culture that suppresses our ability to truly feel our grief—deeply, safely, and on our own terms. But each...

Discover just how important thriving communities are to our wellbeing and the success of organizations—and learn what steps you can take to create them—in this illuminating and empowering guide from the author of Mastering Civility. Despite our deep desire to feel a sense of belonging, many...

Advancements in technology have made gay online dating easier than ever. Rather than being restricted to website logins, the next generation of online dating comes via mobile apps that allow constant and instant access to countless dating options. For the gay man in search of a serious relationship, the opportunity has proven that as technology evolves, human behavior devolves. Author S. W. Davies returns for his third book exploring gay online dating, as well as taking an ongoing and unapologetic look at the increasing shortcomings of the gay community.

How can we solve the problem of persistent poverty in low-status communities? Majora Carter argues that these areas need a talent-retention strategy, just like the ones companies have. Retaining homegrown talent is a critical part of creating a strong local economy that can resist gentrification. But, too many people born in low-status communities measure their success by how far away from them they can get.

From writer, political cartoonist, and bestselling author Henry James Garrett comes a bold collection of prescriptions for living: rejecting the false courage peddled by contemporary “thought leaders” and manosphere gurus to instead embrace a life of joy, moral conviction, and true courage...

Every church, every organization, has experienced them: betrayal, deception, grumbling, envy, exclusion. They make life together difficult and prevent congregations from developing the skills, virtues, and practices they need to nurture sturdy, life-giving communities.

We are in the midst of a startup revolution. The growth and proliferation of innovation-driven startup activity is profound, unprecedented, and global in scope. Today, it is understood that communities of support and knowledge-sharing go along with other resources. The importance of collaboration and a long-term commitment has gained wider acceptance. The Startup Community Way explores what makes startup communities thrive and how to improve collaboration in these rapidly evolving, complex environments.

Why are so many of our fellow citizens disentangling from the political and economic future of India to invest in the destiny of other nations? Are Non-Resident Indians turning irreversibly into Non-Returning Indians? Is enhancing soft power a fair trade off for losing priceless human capital?...

In her first book, Patrice shares her story about being a 14-year-old girl who endures the horrors of child sexual abuse. On a path filled with every horror imaginable, there were still angels along the way. She is able to triumph and then dedicates her life to see that the hidden world of pedophiles is no longer safe. Patrice has worked to change laws, and these horrendous offenders will no longer be permitted to camouflage themselves inside the world of music.

Scientific evidence and personal experience tell us that sincere, engaging personal relationships are essential for health and happiness. Yet, little is said about how we might actively nurture such relationships for ourselves and for people near us at home and work. Executive Coach Tony Mayo drew on the research of Brené Brown, Joseph Campbell, and others to compose this enthusiastically received non-sectarian sermon.

Are you ready to say goodbye to loneliness and hello to a life filled with meaningful friendships? Making new friends in adulthood can feel awkward, even intimidating. Most of us were never taught how to navigate interpersonal relations or sustain friendships through life’s many changes. It’s no wonder so many of us feel isolated, even when we’re surrounded by people. But the truth is, you don’t need to start over —you just need to see the connections already within reach. In Are We Friends Yet?

This book is an accessible and straightforward guide to building or repairing relationships. Within it, you will find stress-free activities that put your relationship first. Believe it or not, you can talk your way to intimacy—practical steps given in this workbook.

Picture this: You’re juggling project deadlines while poring over planning regulations that make no sense. Or you’re trying to design a thriving community space, but no one shows up to your engagement sessions. Maybe you’re stuck battling outdated zoning laws that stifle innovation. Sound familiar?

This is the turbulent story of Naomi Parker, a courageous young woman who valiantly overcomes a series of devastating life experiences. She harbors a looming secret that dominates her thinking and negatively impacts her decision making. It infects her ability to process information and is compounded by a learning disability.