ORGANIZATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EMPOWERING COMMUNITY SETTINGS - A MULTIPLE CASE-STUDY APPROACH

Although empowerment is often cited as a major guiding construct for c ommunity psychology, relatively little is known about the characterist ics of empowering community settings. The current paper uses a multipl e case study methodology to generate a number of key organizational ch aracteristics of empowering community settings to guide future work in the area. In-depth, multilevel, longitudinal research was conducted o n three empowering community settings: a religious fellowship, a mutua l help organization for persons with severe mental illness, and an edu cational program for African American students. The organizational fea tures found to characterize all three settings were (a) a belief syste m that inspires growth, is strengths-based, and is focused beyond the self; (b) an opportunity role structure that is pervasive, highly acce ssible, and multifunctional; (c) a support system that is encompassing , peel-based, and provides a sense of community; and (d) leadership th at is inspiring, talented, shared, and committed to both setting and m embers. Limitations of the research are discussed, and directions for future research suggested.