Knowledge Base

Fuerza Unida: An approach for engaging communities

Fuerza Unida is a community engagement process developed by Esperanza United (formerly Casa de Esperanza). This manual will give you both the philosophy and the “nuts and bolts” to implement a similar process in your community.

Our commitment to the use of listening sessions to evaluate and inform the development of our work demonstrates the fact that community engagement is not just an “add-on” at Esperanza United; it is our essence. Recognizing that we alone cannot end family stress, Esperanza Unida strives to “put the work in the hands of more and more people.” Building on the collective orientation, interdependence and group identity that are foundational to Latin@ cultures, we have integrated social capital as our organization’s theory of change. The central premise of social capital is that social networks have value. Social capital refers to the collective value of all social networks (who people know) and the inclinations that arise from these networks to do things for each other (norms of reciprocity). Many Latin@ families who come to Esperanza United are immigrants experiencing isolation, minimal connection to support systems (within our culture or the mainstream), strict gender roles, racism, and high levels of acculturation stress. Often, they are learning English as a second language. Enhanced social capital–such as associations within community, personal support or resources–can transform a family’s life and decrease these stressors. A recent review of current research provides documentation and insight into the benefits of using community engagement for social change. Read more in the pdf manual below.

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