Community Development

Community development seeks to empower individuals and groups of people by providing these groups with the skills they need to affect change in their own communities.  It starts from the principle that within any community there is a wealth of knowledge and experience that can be channeled into collective action to achieve the communities’ desired goals.

The FRN identifies problems and assets, locates resources, analyzes local power structures, assesses human needs, and investigates other concerns that comprise the community’s character. Community Development is a movement that addresses all factors contributing to a community including education, government, social services, arts, health and safety, economic development, recreation, environment, and housing.   Some of our efforts include:

  • Organizational Development
  • Leadership Development
  • Resource Development
  • Social Capital Development
  • County-Wide Resource Guide
  • A Partner of The Sanford Center
  • Marshall County Community Profile

As part our community development efforts, we have conducted a series of workshops in the community, featuring renowned speakers Dr. Vaughn Grisham of the George McLean Institute for Community Development and Peter Hille, Director of the Brushy Fork Institute.  These workshops aimed to provide insight into transforming our community by moving people to action, recruiting volunteers, maintaining project focus, while focusing on sustainability and strategic planning.

In 2010, the FRN has received a grant award from the West Virginia Community Development, Hub’s Communities of Achievement Program (HubCAP) grant. HubCAP provides community development training, coaching, technical assistance, and funding to ten counties in the state, including Marshall Co.  This funding was directed toward the advancement of The Sanford Center in Moundsville.  The Sanford Center is now a self-sufficient community center offering numerous enriching programs for the community.  The FRN continues to support its efforts through outreach, fund development, and most recently with establishing a Family Resource Center within The Sanford Center.

Also in 2010, the FRN Executive Director, Stacie Dei, was selected to serve on the board of the West Virginia Community Development Hub (WV HUB) whose mission is to connect communities to a network of resources and opportunities to accomplish a future vision.  Stacie was chosen for her extraordinary leadership and community organizing skills.  As a former board member, she has joined statewide efforts to strengthen local communities through non-profit capacity building.

At the FRN, we believe that community development is an ongoing process that will not be accomplished with one single project and we continue our efforts to make Marshall Co. a better place to live and work.