The historical approach to community development focuses on addressing changes and challenges through a deficit mindset, identifying what people lack and filling service gaps. While this can tackle urgent needs short-term, it is not effective for sustainable change. Research shows that strength-based community building, which recognizes and builds on existing assets, is more successful. Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a powerful tool in this process, uncovering community strengths and using them to address challenges or advance progress.

Over the past fifteen years, The Women’s Home has developed a campus in the Spring Branch East neighborhood of northwest Houston, including two supportive housing communities and a community service center. Using AI techniques, our team engaged tenants in program design to fulfill their aspirations. In 2021, The Women's Home purchased land near our community service center. Before developing it, we conducted a four-month AI "listening tour" in Spring 2022, interviewing over 500 individuals. Supportive housing community members helped engage their neighbors and the broader community.

The listening tour revealed residents' aspirations and provided key information on how to fulfill these dreams while building on existing program strengths. Anna Coffey, CEO of The Women’s Home, will present on the value of strength-based community building and inspire participants to use AI techniques for positive change. Using The Women’s Home’s experience as a case study, the presentation will highlight strategies for building a strengths-based culture, developing trust with community members, and harnessing community assets to build capacity.