Asset Based Community Development

Conway, AR – On April 1, 2025, community leaders, advocates, and economic developers gathered at the Arkansas Community Development Society (ACDS) Annual Conference at the University of Central Arkansas to explore strategies for sustainable growth. This year’s theme, Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), emphasized the power of local resources and partnerships in driving meaningful, community-led change. The conference featured in-depth discussions on affordable housing, public-private partnerships (P3s), and economic development, highlighting the ways communities can leverage their existing strengths rather than focusing solely on deficits. Attendees shared best practices, innovative approaches, and strategies for building more resilient and equitable neighborhoods. “Building strong communities starts with recognizing and utilizing the assets already in place,” one attendee noted. “It’s about shifting the focus from what’s missing to what we already have and building upon it.”

For CoHO (City of Hope Outreach), a nonprofit in Conway committed to empowering underserved communities through housing, education, and economic development, this approach is at the core of our mission. By applying the principles of ABCD, we can strengthen our efforts to provide sustainable housing solutions, create economic opportunities, and create thriving neighborhoods where individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency to flourish for future generations. The insights gained at this conference will help us refine our strategies, expand our partnerships, and deepen our impact across Faulkner County. “When we focus on what communities already possess in their people, talents, and local institutions we create real, sustainable change. That’s the foundation of our work at CoHO,” said Tara Ward, COO of CoHO.

Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) directly aligns with CoHO Hope Village by emphasizing the strengths and capacities already present within the community to foster sustainable growth. Rather than focusing on deficiencies, CoHO leverages the talents, relationships, and local institutions in Conway to build housing, promote economic opportunity, and empower individuals toward self-sufficiency. This approach mirrors ABCD's philosophy of community-led transformation, making CoHO Hope Village not just a housing initiative but a catalyst for holistic neighborhood renewal. The insights from the ACDS conference reinforce CoHO’s commitment to nurturing resilient, people-centered communities.

Networking and collaboration were central to this year’s event, with professionals from across the state coming together to align efforts and share solutions. With a strong emphasis on grassroots leadership, collaboration, and resource-driven development, the ACDS conference reaffirmed that Arkansas’s future is built from within by the people and for the people.

Tara Ward is the Chief Operations Officer of The City of Hope Outreach (CoHO), a 501c3 nonprofit organization in Conway, Arkansas.

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