ABCD Conference

In no particular order here are some great words from some of the fabulous people who came together at the Asset-Based Community Development Festival this week:

“he power of reflecting peoples gifts back and knowing that might be the first time they have heard someone else validate it.“

"When ‪#abcd is done well it is inherently political and uncomfortable." Shawn Samuels

"socially isolated people between 2 & 5 times more likely to die prematurely" (Marmot)

"Health is actually determined 80 percent OUTSIDE the world of medicine. Social capital is a way to keep you out of hospital”


 John Ashton. "Professionals on tap not on TOP"  Good lesson for All professionals.

“Capltaism makes people vulnerable, blames them for it, uses their bodies to make money (pharma), and then eventually kills them.

“Our main job is keeping our eyes open and our minds open to what is around us.”

"Communities job is to produce things that never get used up - love, friendship.."

"The community development question of today is 'Why do people want to live in particular places?' “


“From D eficit C ounting B efore A ssistance to A sset B ased C ommunity D riven. How to support without sacrificing dignity.”

"One of the most radical things we can do is remember"

“We often worry about too little money. We should also worry about too much.” 


‪”offering the hand of support to start a movement, if not now now when!! "The heart of the community is people"

"It can be unsettling to hear differences between community views vs 'official' views."

 "The language we use is often not benign, it positions people, has profound effects on community voice." - Dr. Martin Galvin ‪#abcdfest2015

“An English woman, an Irish woman and a Scottish woman... Serve haggis to our South African guests “

“It is never WHAT but WHO - having more people in your life who are NOT paid to be there is essential."

"You think too small John", Judith Snow would say. "In her memory we can all think big about ABCD."

“Be positive, "What you focus on, is what grows"

"What is important is conversation around abilities, not disabilities."

John McKnight's vision for the future: A culture of contribution, all means All, come on in we need you."

Jody Kretzmann “if we just map assets, there’s no point - we need to do something w/ the info” http://ow.ly/i/bmSO1 ‪#‎abcdfest2015 ‪#‎Asset Based Community Development