5. The poet John Donne
famously said, “No man is an
island,” referring to humanity’s
interconnectedness and the
belief that humans are always
social beings.
6. AWARENESS
It is necessary in aiding the residents to
reflect on ways to be positively involved in its
improvement.
Being aware of the structure of the
community and exploring its aspects will help
you understand the necessary measures that
should be undertaken to serve as an active
member of a community and as future leaders
of the community.
7. Aspects of Community
Local Politics
Demographics
Geography and
environmental
influence
Beliefs and
Attitudes
Local economy and
businesses
Income Distribution
Housing
Educational Facilities
and Programs
Health and Welfare
System
Sources of information
and public opinion
Summary Assessment of
Community Issues
8. Local Politics
Structure of government
Decision-making power and control
Major issues currently in debate
Population size (total number of people)
Population density (ratio of people to the
space they inhabit)
Heterogeneity
Demographics
9. Demographics
Ethnic groups
Names given to various parts of the community
Areas known for having their own
characteristics (ex: industrial area, blue collar
families)
Isolation from or closeness to other
communities
History of the area
Changes and development of the area
10. Geography and environmental influence
the community’s physical environment
the community’s location and proximity to
highways, bodies of water or mountains
existence of recreational areas concerns
regarding environment hazards such as
pollution, power shortages, among others
11. Beliefs and Attitudes
cultural values, traditions and beliefs of
various segments of the population
spiritual and political values of the
residents
available social agencies and the help they
can extend
perceptions of residents as part of the
community.
12. Local economy and business
businesses, factories and other sources
of employment that characterize the
community
nature of business (owned by local
residents or government)
public assistance benefits available to
residents
Income distribution
13. Income distribution
median income level of residents
income levels and corresponding percentage
of population.
housing conditions
population density
types of housing
ownership and status of houses (rental, real
estate, etc)
Housing
14. Educational facilities and programs
education system
extent of community support
existence of public and private schools
adherence to intended curriculum of the Department of
Education
attention to special population (e.g., children with special
needs) and to cultural differences.
extent to which education brings out the best in the
children (participation in competitions,
profile of graduates, training students holistically)
adequate preparation for adults to enter the labor force
15. Health and Welfare System
adequate numbers of health professionals and
specialists
social service programs
respect of service providers to the needs and
values of minority populations
availability of fire and police protection
safety of the environment
the residents’ view on public safety and justice
system.
16. Sources of information and public opinion
presence of TV and radio stations and newspapers
which provide the people information and
perspectives on current events
community organizations’ capacity to update
residents on important information
the capacity of the sources of information to
enhance the residents’ skills to promote positive
change
the presence of community leaders who speak for
various marginalized subgroups.
17. Summary Assessment of Community Issues
overall assessment of community’s
functioning
dealing with social problems (youth gangs,
poverty, abuse)
gaps in social, health care, and other
community and educational services
