You know, the first step in building community is to believe… that we’re already sitting on a goldmine. It’s a total mindset shift from what we’re usually told.
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Meaning
At its heart, this quote is about a radical shift in perspective: from seeing our neighborhoods as problems to be fixed by outside experts, to seeing them as abundant with existing, underutilized gifts and capacities.
Explanation
Okay, let me break this down. For years, the dominant model has been one of deficiency. We’re trained to look at our communities and see what’s missing—we need more programs, more funding, more professional help. McKnight and Block flip that entirely. They argue that the real power, the real assets, are already there. They’re in the skills of your neighbors, the shared spaces, the local knowledge. The “first step” isn’t an action; it’s a belief. It’s waking up to the fact that you don’t need to wait for a grant or a city official. You start with what you have, who is already there. It changes everything.
Quote Summary
Reading Level66
Aesthetic Score85
Origin & Factcheck
This comes straight from their 2010 book, The Abundant Community: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods. It’s a cornerstone of the “Asset-Based Community Development” (ABCD) philosophy they helped pioneer. You sometimes see similar sentiments floating around, but this specific, powerful phrasing is uniquely theirs.
Attribution Summary
Author Bio
John McKnight, Professor Emeritus at Northwestern University had spent decades of his life helping people rediscover the power of relationships. Being, co-founder of the ABCD Institute, his core idea revolves around communities that grows by identifying and connecting their assets. You’ll find the John McKnight book list here which are anchored by Building Communities from the Inside Out, The Careless Society, The Abundant Community, and The Connected Community.
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | The first step in building community is to believe that we already have what we need |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2010; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9781605095844; Last edition: 2012; Number of pages: 192. |
| Where is it? | Chapter: Belief in Abundance, Approximate page from 2012 edition: 191 |
Context
In the book, they’re pushing back hard against what they call the “consumer culture,” where we’ve outsourced our community responsibilities to systems and professionals. The quote sets the stage for a whole new way of operating—one where the focus is on connecting and mobilizing the gifts that are already present on your street, rather than drafting a wishlist of what you lack.
Usage Examples
So how do you actually use this? Let me give you a couple of scenarios.
First, for a neighborhood association that’s feeling stuck. Instead of their first meeting being “What’s wrong and who can we call?”, you reframe it. You start with a “gifts inventory.” You ask, “What skills, passions, and resources do we already have right here?” You’d be amazed what you find—retired teachers, people with great gardens, folks who love to cook.
Second, for a non-profit leader or a city planner. This quote is a mandate to stop designing for a community and start designing with it. Your role shifts from being the expert with the solution to being a connector who helps local capacities shine.
To whom it appeals?
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Motivation Score83
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Common Questions
Question: But what if our community genuinely *doesn’t* have what it needs? What about serious issues like poverty or crime?
Answer: Great question, and it’s the most common pushback. The point isn’t to ignore real problems. It’s to recognize that the capacity to address them lies within the community itself. External resources can help, but sustainable solutions are built on the foundation of local relationships, knowledge, and action. You start with your assets to tackle your deficits.
Question: Isn’t this just a feel-good sentiment without real action?
Answer: Actually, it’s the opposite. Believing you have what you need is the precursor to powerful action. It moves you from a passive, complaining stance to an active, creative one. The action just looks different—it’s about hosting conversations, mapping gifts, and building connections, not just filing complaints.
Question: Who is this quote most useful for?
Answer: Honestly, anyone who wants to see positive change where they live or work. Community organizers, sure. But also teachers, pastors, local business owners, and honestly, any resident who’s ever thought, “Someone should do something about that.” This quote says, “You are that someone, and you’re not alone.”
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