I agree, the idea of professionalizing an asset-based approach that is founded in the uniqueness of the individuals within any community feels improbable. Yet in the current system, I see non-profits as stakeholders who are essential "in the gap" as they provide needed tools, resources, space that are sometimes otherwise unavailable at present. Blended approaches are possible, if not purist and help in the gap space.
Non-profit employees should not “use” community members to lighten their workload. However, in a neighborhood setting there are skillful and ethical ways to work with community members that benefit the community and give opportunities for shared leadership and community member recognition.
For example, I worked with new refugees who were learning a new country. While adjusting, those with English would use their interpretation skills to provide programs in the multi-lingual community (at a time approximately ten dominant and up to thirty small linguistic groupings) in exchange for small compensation of money or donated gift cards. Shortly thereafter, many would get a short-term professional training as interpreters and move on to roles in local schools, hospitals, and care agencies with a tiny bit of experience under their belt to list on a resume, a reference if needed, and a higher-paying role than they might have otherwise found. The non-prof budget would not have been able to account for a higher-paid interpreter in so many languages and the community member would gain skills and useful information. While it is not asset-based approach arising fully organically from within the community, this is a way of moving a community-based non-profit toward asset-based perspectives in a win-win situation. Most importantly community members would also gain new knowledge that they would then disseminate in their communities rather than the non-profit being the sole “keeper” of the knowledge, thereby creating community learning bank. A completely shared non-profit/small community partnership that would not have been possible for either without both parties taking on a shared leadership role.
I would like to offer an alternate opinion to the question of whether asset-based work reduces worker burn-out based on my own experience with case management/direct service approach and community-based approaches. If correctly implemented, I do believe that asset-based approaches can increase the positive contributions of the worker and reduce burnout. I will share the reasons in the following paragraphs to offer some clarity on my own past experiences which may be different from that of other workers.
Traditional case management and direct services provision have a power component - a “knowledge” worker or series of them, paired with a client/consumer. These approaches are often shaped around a presenting life problem/needed service. The client is often under stress and at a disadvantage at the point-in-time they are receiving services. These services are most often time-limited rather than an ongoing process of understanding between the worker and consumer of services.
The worker has no knowledge of client before needing services so is introduced to them at a difficult point in their life and may have challenges ascertaining their strengths which are masked by the crisis period. Workers sometimes also have little concept of what life in the communities their clients come from is like which can create a barrier to understanding on both sides of the relationship.
The client will often project/perceive that worker has no stressors because of their nice office, professional demeanor, or by other perception. “It doesn't really matter” to my worker is in many cases the perception. There is little interrelation or interdependence. Once a client has received services they may never see their worker again.
That said, I believe that case management and direct services can be done with care and can also provide a much needed assistance. These approaches may intensify in their impact when provided from a community-centered and asset-based approach if the service consumer is wishing to remain connected to or get to know their community. [outside services are helpful if a person is wishing to make a new start for reasons of safety or to create a new beginning]
Asset-based work is a quite different approach and can be used in both a micro-community such as a non-profit office or in a larger neighborhood or community. The approach includes both formal knowledge workers within the community, as well as community leaders and community members. Each person’s role is different, but from a strength’s perspective, each person involved holds a piece of the total sum of knowledge that makes each community or sub-community work effectively together. In asset-based community work, there is an acknowledgement that both the community members and community worker hold power that can create a synergy to catalyze change in the setting. Asset-based methodology is participatory, with community members and workers moving on different projects and knowledge sets that contribute to the health of the entire community and that suit their skill set or teach them a new skill. There can also be a high level of interdependence and a high level of reciprocity because of the understanding the the gifts, talents and leveraging ability of ALL create the final result.
Here are the reasons that I believe that asset-based work can be helpful in reducing burnout:
People in their communities often have, or can work together to create/locate, the solutions to their challenges. [The worker can provide resources, but the community builds or advises on the workable solution that is a best fit in their community.]
Healthy and connected communities have natural networks of information sharing that build their community knowledge base and disburses messages in ways that reach their larger community. [Community members/leaders spread the word about programs and services available or can lead/contribute skills to programs in their areas of knowledge.]
Community work can be pro-active and project-centered, rather than problem-based. It is a different way of approaching the issues communities face that is focused in a way that creates positives in otherwise difficult situations.
Community members and workers work in partnership to create solutions with reciprocity and shared communication. [worker presumably leverages their power toward healthy partnerships]
For a community worker and community members, longevity within a community creates a relationship that is based on trust and mutual understanding, as well as increasing the understanding of the issues that communities and individuals are facing. [All parties benefit from relationships based on trust and deeper understanding which creates programs, resources and projects better tailored to the need in each community]
Community members and community workers in partnership and over time, come to understand a more natural range of emotions in one another that include; excited, frustrated, angry, worried, sick or upset. Over time, the community members can respond to the worker and the worker can respond to community members in these fluctuations with an understanding of the full-spectrum of emotions. This also makes it easier for the worker to identify the issues of concern with community members or vice versa. (i.e. this person is usually happy, but today they seem very agitated, which can prompt a caring question from the worker or community member, sometimes pre-empting major crises)
Shared successes and empowerments create a healthier space for both the worker and community member.
Skills of community members increase over time which creates more opportunities for communities to meet their own needs. The result can include community events, new jobs or businesses, and social networks based on shared interests. [Thereby increasing the overall health and reducing the social isolation in the community the worker is trying to assist.]
Note: This definitively presumes a strengths and asset-based approach, worker longevity in the community to build trust and achieve shared successes, and relies heavily on the belief that community members have wisdom and knowledge that already exists within their community.
