SCOPE’s goal is to help neighbors identify their abilities, organize that information, and use their abilities to help each other. Through working with diverse neighborhoods within Sarasota County, SCOPE staff has seen how residents created change that improved their quality of life. Here are some of the neighborhoods SCOPE is working or has worked in:

• Kensington Park of North Sarasota County
• Venice Gardens of the greater Venice area
• The Winds of St. Armand’s in North Sarasota County
• “A Special Time” in North Port
• Amaryllis Park of the City of Sarasota

We are struck by the importance of citizens undertaking neighborly practices and the power of “doing things together and having fun at it,” as one Venice Gardens neighbor put it. Acknowledging the value of connections and relationships between neighbors and local organizations, SCOPE will continue to work with individuals in neighborhoods, groups of neighbors, and local institutions to build their capacity and to inspire community action.

I have learned the concerns and cares of many of the residents and gained ideas for how to move forward and create an even more connected and supportive community.
– Pam Bournival of The Winds of St. Armand’s

“Don’t sell your neighbors short. Many would like to get involved, if their time is not wasted, and they feel their talents are necessary. You have to give people that confidence.”
– Linda Lukacs of Venice Gardens

This initiative, like all of SCOPE’s work, applies an asset based approach. Asset-based community development creates a new path for residents and institutions to partner. This new path is based on looking at each individual within the community as someone who has something valuable to share and the power to make a difference in their community.

An asset based approach also looks at new ways for groups of individuals to collaborate with businesses, nonprofits, and the government. This type of collaboration allows institutions to be creative about how they engage residents in the design and delivery of services and programs. Local businesses, government, and nonprofits can maximize their impact if they gain an understanding of the neighborhood before implementing a program or campaign.

The approach helped me understand how residents feel about their neighborhood. I have also gained new leadership skills and a method to get residents to share what they care about.

– Carl Stephens of Amaryllis Park