Strategies of

empowerment and
advocacy of a
community action
initiative
Most Essential Learning
Competency
oAnalyze strategies of empowerment and advocacy of
a community action initiative.
oExplain the importance of commitment and action in
participatory development for community well-being.
Empowerment
oEmpowerment has been the subject of widespread
and often thoughtful and careful theorizing, study, and
application in the fields of social work, community
psychology, health promotion, and organizational
studies.
Empowerment
oEmpowerment has been defined as an intentional ongoing process
centered in the local community, involving mutual respect, critical
reflection, caring, and group participation, through which people
lacking an equal share of valued resources gain greater access to and
control over those resources; or a process by which people gain
control over their lives, democratic participation in the life of
community, and critical understanding of their environment (Perkins
& Zimmerman, 1995)
Empowerment
oElements in those definitions are that empowerment:
oIs a process
oOccurs in communities
oInvolves active participation
ocritical reflection, awareness, and understanding
oAccess to, and control over, important decisions and resources.
Empowerment and Advocacy
oEmpowerment and advocacy are social democratic
practices that enable people to overcome barriers and
contribute to practice a focus on social justice.
oThey enable social workers to help give people
changes to better understand and change their lives.
Community Advocacy
oCommunity advocacy, sometimes referred to as non-
statutory advocacy or generic advocacy, is
preventative approach that enables people to be active
citizens and self-advocate in regards to decision
affecting their lives.
Community Action Initiative (CAI)
oCommunity action initiative was created to support
community-led projects that promote mental health,
prevent substance use problems and promote effective
treatment and support for individuals and families
experiencing mental health and/or substance use
challenges.
The Importance of Commitment
and Action in Participatory
Development for Community
well-being.
Commitment
oIt entails dedication, ability to work hard and bear infinite
fortitude.
oStaying committed to your goal is one of the most fundamental
principles of success.
oThe goals can vary from leading a healthier life, having a better
relationship, or approaching result in work, but commitment
remains an essential ingredient.
Commitment
oIt entails dedication, ability to work hard and bear infinite
fortitude.
oStaying committed to your goal is one of the most fundamental
principles of success.
oThe goals can vary from leading a healthier life, having a better
relationship, or approaching result in work, but commitment
remains an essential ingredient.
Participatory Development
oThe addressing the importance of participatory
development, it states that stimulating productive
energies of people in productive processes, and a
more equitable sharing of their benefits, must become
more central elements in development strategies and
development.
Participatory Development
oThe core aims of participatory development planning
are to give people as say in the development decisions
that may affect them and to ensure that development
interventions are appropriate to the needs and
preferences of the population that they are intended to
benefit.
The Challenge of Participatory
Development
oIt’s important to recognize from the outset that
participatory development, especially from the social
movement perspective, is never and easy and often
complicates the smooth functioning od specific
projects.
The Challenge of Participatory
Development
oallowing for communities to exercise their
(sometimes messy) autonomous forms of
organization, to determine their own development
priorities, and to be protagonists in shaping their
future will always lead to more sustainable and
consequential development efforts.
Community Well-being
oCommunity well being is the combination of social,
economic, environmental, cultural, and political
conditions identified by individuals and their
communities as essential for them to flourish and
fulfil their potential.
Four (4) Dimensions of Wellness
1. Spiritual Wellness
oIs that force that drives us to make sacrifices for
others, our nation, and the greater good.
oIt may come from religious faith, heritage,
experience within our community, influence of role
models, or other sources inspiration.
2. Emotional Wellness
oRefers to building an awareness of and
accepting one’s feelings and moods.
oIt includes finding ways to encourage positive
thinking and acceptance of oneself.
3. Physical Wellness
oIncludes expanding your knowledge about your
lifestyle and how food, good nutrition and
physical activity can be an integral part of your
lifestyle.
4. Social Wellness
oEntails being cognizant of the impact
you and your actions have on your
community, the society and nature.
Your best quote that reflects your
approach… “It’s one small step for
man, one giant leap for mankind.”

- NEIL ARMSTRONG