Building Social Capital: The communityworks, inc. experience

Issue title: Social Capital

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Williams, Janet M.

Affiliations: communityworks, inc., 7819 Conser Place, Overland Park, KS 66204, USA. Tel.: +1 913 789 9900; E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

Abstract: This article explores the changing expectations, practices and policies supporting Social Capital for people with disabilities living in the community. It introduces relevant developments in how communityworks, inc. operates in two arenas to support community membership. First, in the arena of people who buy services from the agency, philosophical principles that support community membership are delineated, including a personal story that illuminates these principles. Second, in the arena of people paid to work through the agency, a discussion of standards developed by staff that give them ownership in the process and create consistency in developing Social Capital across the agency. In conclusion, the article addresses ongoing challenges we face as an agency that is always pushing the edge to further enhance Social Capital.

Keywords: Social Capital, community membership, rehabilitation, community supports

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 157-163, 2008