Jon Van Til is professor emeritus of urban studies and community planning at Rutgers University. He is also past president of ARNOVA, the former editor in chief of the Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, executive secretary of the Civil Society Design Network, and author of publications that include Mapping the Third Sector: Voluntarism in a Changing Social Economy; Growing Civil Society: From Nonprofit Sector to Third Space; and Breaching Derry's Walls: The Quest for a Lasting Peace in Northern Ireland. --Book Jacket.

In recent years, concerned governments, businesses, and civic groups have launched ambitious programs of community development designed to halt, and even reverse, decades of urban decline. But while massive amounts of effort and money are being dedicated to improving the inner-cities, two important questions have gone unanswered: Can community development actually help solve long-standing urban problems? And, based on social science analyses, what kinds of initiatives can make a difference? This book surveys what we currently know and what we need to know about community development's past, current, and potential contributions. The authors--economists, sociologists, political scientists, and a historian--define community development broadly to include all capacity building (including social, intellectual, physical, financial, and political assets) aimed at improving the quality of life in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods. The book addresses the history of urban development strategies, the politics of resource allocation, business and workforce development, housing, community development corporations, informal social organizations, schooling, and public security.

Empower your students to become part of the solution. With a clear and upbeat voice, author Anna Leon-Guerrero’s thought-provoking overview of social problems challenges readers to understand and recognize social problems in their communities and inspires them to become part of the solution. The Fifth Edition of Social Problems: Community, Policy, and Social Action goes beyond the typical presentation of contemporary social problems and their consequences by emphasizing the importance and effectiveness of community involvement to achieve real solutions. With an overarching focus on social inequalities and policy, this proven text provides a platform for discussion that encourages critical thinking and inspires hope. “The extra emphasis on social action and movements is a real strength…I like that the three major perspectives are used in each chapter as I feel many texts just put that in the first chapter and then forget about it.” —Todd Michael Callais, University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash

In this volume of collected studies, social workers in Hong Kong and Singapore tell of their experience in attempting to resolve some of the problems that exist in the communities of these two city-states. All of the readings are 'rich, first-hand accounts of the work done and initiatives taken and, although retrospective, they remain alive and personal, of significance for any study of contemporary social development in Southeast Asia. The book aims to give students of social work, of social policy and administration, as well as the general reader, the benefit of a comparative approach. Comparative studies of the social services in Southeast Asia are still few. In the context of rapid social change the perspectives provided here of the recent history of social work in Hong Kong and Singapore will help the student to assess the progress which has been made and to understand the present provision for meeting personal and community needs of a wide variety.

Hearing was held in Los Alamos, N.Mex.