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Community Development
A division of the Human Services Department
Western Service Center
12200 N. Pecos Street, 2nd Floor
Westminster, CO 80234
Phone: 303.453.8500 - Fax: 303.453.8505
email: cbarnes@co.adams.co.us
"Building Stronger Communities"
Mission
To actively support and build the capacity of citizen groups and community organizations in Adams County so they may enhance the economic, social, environmental, and cultural well-being of their communities.
What is Community Development?
Community development is the planned evolution of all aspects of community well-being: economic, social, environmental and cultural. It is a process whereby community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems. The scope of community development can vary from small initiatives within a small group, to large initiatives that involve the whole community. Regardless of the scope of the activity, effective community development should be:
- A long-term endeavor;
- Well-planned;
- Inclusive and equitable;
- Holistic and integrated into the bigger picture;
- Initiated and supported by community members;
- A benefit to the community; and
- Grounded in experience that leads to best practices.
The primary intent of community development is to improve the quality of life. Effective community development results in mutual benefit and shared responsibility among community members. It recognizes the connection between social, cultural, environmental and economic matters; the diversity of interests within a community and the relationship to building capacity.
Community development requires and helps build community capacity to address issues and take advantage of opportunities; and finds common ground by balancing competing interests. It does not "just happen" - it requires a conscious, concerted and conscientious effort among community partners to improve the community.
Adams County Community Development manages several federally funded programs for housing, community development, neighborhood revitalization, economic development and human service activities. The common theme of the funds administered by Community Development is that they benefit low- and moderate-income residents of Adams County. There are over 24 non-profit organization and 5 municipalities currently funded by various grants and loans available through Community Development. Almost all funds and programs administered by Community Development directly impact the lives of low- and moderate-income people in Adams County. Direct service activities provided by Community Development include:
Community Development manages the following grant programs:
- Community Service Block Grants (CSBG)
- Adams County Human Services Grants
- Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
- HOME Investment Partnerships Program
- Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG)
- American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funds, including CSBG-R, CDBG-R, HPRP, and NSP
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