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For years, I held executive leadership roles in community and faith-based organizations, where much of my time was spent “putting out fires.” These fires often resulted from urgent issues—miscommunication, strained relationships, disjointed processes, and decisions without sufficient insight.
Sound familiar? These challenges drained our energy and limited our impact.
However, I was struck by how many of these crises could be quietly resolved with kindness, collaboration, and good old-fashioned diplomacy. Yet, firefighting was never my aspiration.
I dreamed of something greater.
I envisioned myself as an architect who designs systems and spaces that nurture innovation, foster collaboration, and drive lasting change. Someone who helps build communities' capacity to rise above challenges and unlock their full potential.
Today, I’m humbled and grateful to be living that dream.
In this chapter of my life, I’ve focused less on the problems and more on the possibilities. That doesn’t mean ignoring what’s broken, but shifting my energy toward bold, inclusive, and sustainable solutions. And let me tell you—this shift has been both energizing and deeply rewarding.
Across the country, organizations are realizing the old ways don’t work anymore. They’re beginning to ask not, “What’s wrong?” but rather, “What’s possible—and who will join us in making it happen?”
This mindset shift transforms how communities confront their most formidable challenges—with courage, creativity, and hope.
And here’s the most exciting discovery: a kind of “secret sauce” fueling this transformation. We call it Caring Power—the collective strength of people coming together, driven by compassion, to co-create a better future.
Let’s explore how we can harness that power together.
Dr. Paul Hiebert, a renowned cultural anthropologist, introduced a compelling framework for understanding how people unite: the concepts of Bounded Sets and Centered Sets.
In his book Anthropological Reflections on Missiological Issues, Dr. Hiebert explains:
Imagine organizations and individuals rallying around transformative causes—ending hunger, improving education, or creating meaningful jobs.
Centered Set connectivity is symbolized by a heart without a confining circle, reflecting a shared vision and collective focus. It unites individuals and organizations through common interests fueled by passion and emotion.
This connection brings people together around what truly matters to them—deeply held concerns that significantly impact their lives and communities. Examples include addressing poverty and hunger, ensuring quality education for children, or driving economic development that creates meaningful, well-paying jobs.
Community development consultant Mike Green shares a profound insight:
"The greatest asset in any community is people's willingness to act on what they care about. Care brings people together for a common purpose. Care is like a song flowing through every community—and if we want to build stronger communities, we must learn how to harmonize with it. When the song of care is clearly heard, people find the power to act together."
— Mike Green, When People Care Enough to Act (2007)
He goes further, offering another inspiring perspective:
"When people discover what they already have, they find power. When they form new connections and relationships, they build even greater power. And when they begin working productively together, they unlock the power to tackle big challenges and turn dreams into reality."
Mike outlines a transformative yet straightforward process to bring this caring energy to life, built around three essential actions:
Something extraordinary happens when discovery, connection, and creation work in harmony. The collective power of care is unleashed, transformative and delivering lasting benefits for everyone involved.
Communities thrive on a foundation of care and mutual support. They comprise individuals from diverse backgrounds, each bringing unique talents, strengths, and experiences. When these qualities unite, they form a vital and transformative force.
One of the most profound lessons we’ve learned is that there is a world of difference between delivering services and truly providing care.
While service-providing is profound, caregiving goes far beyond. Caregiving builds on services—it nurtures, empowers, and invests in people’s lives. It’s not just about offering help; it’s about inspiring hope.
Most staff and volunteers at helping organizations genuinely care about the people they serve. Their hearts are in the right place. Yet, with increasing demand, limited resources, and mounting pressures, many agencies are forced to prioritize services over care. They’re caught in a cycle of “doing more with less,” which takes a toll on both those offering help and those receiving it.
In reality, those seeking help aren’t just looking for quick fixes or temporary relief—they’re seeking meaningful investments in their lives. Sadly, many organizations lack the resources, funding, or manpower to fully meet these needs, which often include encouragement, emotional support, and hope. These individuals seek lasting solutions to challenges that frequently persist across generations.
This is where true caregiving becomes indispensable.
John McKnight, a respected thought leader in community development, captures the essence of caregiving perfectly:
“Care, unlike service, cannot be produced. Care is the consenting commitment one has for the other, freely given. Care is the domain of the community—not something systems can manufacture.”
— John McKnight, A Twenty-First Century Map for Healthy Communities and Families (1996)
True caregiving demands more time, heart, and a deeper investment in people’s lives. Unfortunately, many organizations lack the capacity, funding, or manpower to meet these needs alone.
When organizations coordinate efforts, they offer holistic solutions that transform entire communities.
This is why we passionately advocate for comprehensive coordinated care. By uniting efforts, communities can move beyond simply meeting needs—they can help people truly thrive.
Thanks to advances in care networking technology, enhanced collaboration, and a growing commitment to cross-sector partnerships, communities across the country are discovering innovative ways to:
This approach blends service efficiency with depth of care, addressing immediate concerns while laying the foundation for a brighter future.
But here’s the key: it only works when the community shares the risks, responsibilities, and rewards.
At the core of every meaningful transformation lies one enduring truth: we are stronger together.
When communities move beyond isolated efforts—when they dare to dream bigger and unite around what truly matters—something extraordinary takes shape. Care evolves from being just a sentiment into a driving force, a catalyst, a movement.
By shifting our focus—from reacting to building, from service to genuine care, and from working in silos to working in harmony—we unlock a brighter future. It’s a future where hope flourishes, dignity is restored, and opportunities expand.
Caring Power isn’t just an ideal—it’s real, it’s happening, and it grows every time we choose collaboration over competition, compassion over convenience, and hope over despair.
Together, we can create communities that don’t merely survive but truly thrive.
