Cities Deepening Community (CDC) is dedicated to developing our collective understanding about the power of citizens and supporting programs, policies and practices that strengthen communities and neighbourhoods and mobilize citizen leadership to enhance social capital.
We are discovering the power of community as an essential driver of effective community change and compiling a body of knowledge – including research, tools and practices – that make the work of creating strong communities and neighbourhoods easier and more effective. We are inspired by Meg Wheatley’s wise words: “Whatever the problem, community is the answer.”
The Deepening Community learning community is a network of people who are partnering with Tamarack to explore the unique role that neighbours, neighbourhoods and communities play in creating positive futures.
Community well-being is the result of a complex interplay of social, cultural, economic and environmental factors that is beyond the influence of any one individual, organization or level of government alone. The most creative and lasting solutions to enhance community well-being depend upon citizens, government, and a diversity of organizations that unite around a common vision—a vision to work in collaboration on initiatives that make solutions a reality.
The Journal is a free bi-monthly online magazine from Cities Deepening Community that offers the latest resources and articles on collaboration and neighbourhood development as well as information for all of our upcoming events.
By Deepening Community
Deepening Community hosts a variety of dynamic webinars with leading thinkers and practitioners, produces an online bi-monthly publication, and has an resource library full of resources, articles and tools. Join your peers from across Canada to learn, share and network to build neighbourhoods.
Local Deepening Community Initiatives: A Tamarack Partnership Opportunity
By Deepening Community
Local Deepening Community Initiatives have been shown to galvanize untapped community resources, create opportunities to nurture relationships across communities, and strengthen the social connections that are essential to sustain dynamic neighbourhoods and resilient communities. Tamarack is looking to partner with up to 5 communities each year to host local Deepening Community Projects. These projects invite a diverse group of local community leaders to work with us to design engaging conversations to engage a diversity of residents and leaders.
How to Develop a Common Agenda for a Collective Impact
By Paul Born
This 5 Step Guide, written by Paul Born, provides a 'how-to' approach for developing a common agenda when working on Collective Impact initiatives. It provides real life examples of how this process has been used in Paul's own experiences as well as other organizations. This guide can be used as a reference to fine-tune your own methodology. It will help you reflect on your own initiative and spark innovation.
ABCD’s emphasis on strengths, connections, citizen leadership and its recognition that individual gifts become powerful when they are connected together echoes deeply with our own practice and approach to community change. In our experience, communities that collaborate are more successful at addressing complex issues like poverty, equity, community safety and community well-being because they are able to harness the talents, knowledge and strengths of diverse perspectives.
This group of neighbourhood leaders is mobilizing a growing number of leaders who are advancing neighbourhood strategies in their municipalities. Together we share resources and experiences that are advancing comprehensive approaches for creating strong neighbourhoods.
This CoP is made up of a group of peers committed to sharing and learning from one another to accelerate their collective understanding of the role of citizens and communities in preparing for emergencies; to enhance their practice; and, to share their knowledge and insights across the field. We will share our own experiences and draw upon the knowledge and expertise of a variety of thought-leaders in this field to enable us to deepen our understanding of this issue. We will also identify and post useful resources and stories to illustrate promising practices.
Finding Joy Together in Chaotic Times
Community shapes our identity, quenches our thirst for belonging, and bolsters our physical, mental, emotional, and economic health. In this thoughtful and moving book, Paul Born describes the four pillars of deep community: sharing our stories, taking the time to enjoy one another, taking care of one another, and working together for a better world. It’s up to us to create
