Rebuilding Communities Initiative

Rebuilding Communities (RCI) was our first long-term investment designed to demonstrate we can transform troubled neighborhoods into safe, supportive, productive environments for children, youth and families. The Foundation worked in partnership with community-based organizations on comprehensive strategies to reverse social isolation and disinvestment in low-income neighborhoods. Lessons learned here have been incorporated into our current Making Connections initiative.

A Community Takes on Child Welfare Service Delivery: A Case Study of Community-Based System Reform in Ward Seven of the District of Columbia

This case study examines of the gradual development and implementation of the Marshall Heights Community Development Organization’s child welfare initiative. It draws upon 24 focused discussions conducted with staff, key stakeholders and partners to elicit varying perspectives on the effectiveness and success of the initiative.  more >>

View PDF

Learning from the Journey: Reflections on the Rebuilding Communities Initiative

This paper reviews the lessons learned from the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Rebuilding Communities Initiative (RCI) from the vantage point of those who lived it. It specifically focuses on the Initiative’s efforts in building resident empowerment, capacity building, leadership, community participation, partner building, and power dynamics between funders and communities.  more >>

View PDF

Linking Human Services and Economic Development

This guidebook examines how the delivery of human services is changing in an era of "reform," cutbacks, and restructuring. It analyzes what these changes will mean for community organizations interested in using human services to create jobs and economic development in low income communities.  more >>

View Toolkits or Guide

Paths to Leadership in Community Change

This paper examines the leadership development process in several Rebuilding Communities Initiative (RCI) sites.  It also presents a conceptual framework that helps people better understand the leadership development process as well as suggests best practices for communities interested in leadership development.    more >>

View PDF

Rebuilding a Neighborhood from the Ground Up

This report looks at changes to an inner-city Boston neighborhood as a result of a long-term, comprehensive, resident-led approach to transformation. more >>

View PDF

Rebuilding Communities: A Neighborhood Reinvestment Strategy of The Annie E. Casey Foundation

This paper presents the conceptual framework, critical elements and grant making strategy for the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Rebuilding Communities Initiative (RCI), a neighborhood revitalization program created to support and transform troubled economically distressed neighborhoods.    more >>

View PDF

The East Baltimore Revitalization Initiative: A Commitment to Economic Inclusion

This report details how the East Baltimore revitalization initiative has helped place more than 2,700 people in jobs – nearly a third of whom were East Baltimore residents. The project provides lessons that can guide other large redevelopment projects seeking to promote economic inclusion. more >>

View PDF

The Evolution of Organizational Development within the Rebuilding Communities Initiative

This is monograph reviews the evolution of organizational development within the Rebuilding Communities Initiative (RCI). It provides information for community-building practitioners and technical assistance providers on the value of assessment, feedback, and data collection.    more >>

View PDF

The Rebuilding Communities Initiative: Annual Evaluation Report: the First Fifteen Months of the Capacity Building Phase (October 1995 - December 1996): May 1997

This report evaluates the first fifteen months of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Rebuilding Communities Initiative (RCI), an initiative that encouraged communities to foster capacity-building and knowledge in ways to improve outcomes for children and families.  more >>

View PDF

The Rebuilding Communities Initiative: Cross-Site/Local Technical Assistance Strategy Capacity Building Phase

This document outlines the technical assistance strategy for the Rebuilding Communities Initiative (RCI). It specifically focuses on cross-site and local technical assistance strategies, budget preparation, and the role of local organizational development coaches.  more >>

View PDF