In Ecuador, field workers are trained in community organizing and hygiene education methods to promote maintenance of water and sanitation systems. Workshops based on a community development approach teach workers how to gain entry into communities, collect and analyze information, and develop community education programs. (SK)

Describes the results of a survey of rural public libraries that examined the impressions of librarians involved in establishing the role of the library, the degree to which planning is accomplished, and current socioeconomic data relevant to rural libraries. The discussion focuses on the finding that librarians are not planning for future…

The current debate about the future of health care has obscured the impact of democratization on social service organizations. This article advances some preliminary notions about democratization of health care, in terms of financing services, community-based agencies, client-based intervention, citizen advocates, and cultural supports. (DR)

Describes how public libraries can plan, fund, and implement scholar-led, library-based, humanities book discussion programs using the example of the Southern Connecticut Library Council. Key steps in planning, funding, targeting the audience, selecting topics and books, obtaining community support, recruiting scholars, marketing, administration,…

The recommendations of Scotland's 1975 Alexander Report for increasing adult education participation and Tom Lovett's development of a social action model with working class adults in Liverpool and Ireland are used as background to an examination of Scottish projects that use a community work approach to involve nonparticipating adults in…

Questionnaire responses of 108 older adults revealed 5 correlates of sense of usefulness: continuity in respect from younger age, involvement with family, involvement with significant others, involvement with community, and meeting one's expectations for old age. Continuity in respect, meeting one's expectations, and sense of usefulness combined…

Discusses the case study of the educational projects of two church-based community programs in Harrisburg (Pennsylvania), examining the understanding five women workers in these projects have about community and analyzing the relationships of these programs with the public schools. Of particular interest are the churches' after-school tutoring and…

Interviews with rural women active in grassroots community organizations in Appalachia revealed that the consequences of women's participation included learning new skills, developing communication skills, gaining understanding of their lives, and setting new educational or vocational goals. Aspects of organizational environment that supported the…

Self Help Graphics is a community art center in East Los Angeles whose mission is to empower the Chicano community by instilling pride in their culture through the visual arts. Its programs have instructed youth, enabled like-minded artists to exchange ideas and artistically express political views, and elevated appreciation of Chicano art…

A British university sought to increase participation of Muslim women in higher education by working with community organizations, conducting focus groups, developing curricula desired by learners, and delivering them at community sites. Flexible entry points and supports for nontraditional students were recommended. (SK)

In this article, the author features the Middle College High School (MCHS), which grants teenagers a judicious mix of freedom and structure as it propels them toward adulthood. MCHS allows students to take courses at LaGuardia Community College, and is also piloting a program in which students stay a thirteenth year and graduate with an Associate…

Managers and decision-makers are under increasing pressure to engage community members along with experts in considering and resolving environmental degradation. This is especially the case with respect to decisions concerning water quality and quantity in Australia. The commitment of citizens and government to sustainable catchment management and…

In Baltimore, Chicago, New York, Oakland, California and Philadelphia, to name a few cities where it has been active, Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) has emerged as a major player in K-12 in education issues. Its army of organizers has tackled everything from a lack of stop signs to such vexing issues as teacher…

The "CURA Reporter" is published quarterly to provide information about the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA), an all-University applied research and technical assistance center at the University of Minnesota that connects faculty and students with community organizations and public institutions working on significant public…

The Community Organization Sense of Community Scale (COSOC) is a frequently used or cited measure of the construct in community psychology and other disciplines, despite a lack of confirmation of its underlying 4-factor framework. Two studies were conducted to test the hypothesized structure of the COSOC, the potential effects of method bias on…