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Metro Denver Clubs & Organizations Families & Allies Working Together Guiding Principles Strengthening Communities 1. Isolation from community life is the worst disability. People who have labels like developmentally disabled, mentally retarded, physically disabled, etc. are usually most disabled because of the effects of their isolation from the life of their community. 2. Every person has gifts to contribute to the community. No matter what label people may have, they have gifts, abilities, talents, and skills to contribute to their community and its people. 3. Communities grow stronger when all people can contribute. As labeled people contribute their talents, the power of the community grows and the disability of isolation diminishes. 4. A special resident effort is necessary to open community life to isolated people. If the community is to be strengthened and the disability of isolation eliminated, some special citizens will initially need to reach out and open the doors to community, guiding the labeled people to places where they can contribute their gifts. 5. Isolated people need to be introduced to groups in the community. Community is about the relationships of groups of people. These groups come together in clubs, associations, organizations, businesses, neighborhood groups, and families. As isolated people are introduced to these groups and offer their gifts, they will find individual friends. While we cannot find a friend for another person, we can introduce people to groups where they can meet many others and find that special relationship called friendship. 6. Well connected residents are the most effective community guides. If isolated, labeled people are to be introduced to community groups, the most effective guides will usually be people who are well known and respected and active in civic life. They are people who know the many paths into community life because they have walked that way themselves. Email Us familiesandallies@gmail.com Privacy Statement Neighborhood Link Terms of Use © 1997 - 2006 Neighborhood Link, Inc.