Community Social Work Practice in an Urban Context: The Potential of a Capacity Enhancement Perspective

Melvin Delgado's innovative and creative approach to urban social work practice shows social workers how to focus on the assets these urban communities already have. Specifically, he suggests methods to approach the adults and children of these communities through the arts and other positive community projects, such as community gardens, playgrounds, and murals. These ideas are based on a capacity enhancement perspective and seek to empower and involve marginalizedurban-based communities in the effort to create a positive community environment. Graduate courses for students specializing in urban-focused social work will find this to be a fresh approach to a timely issue, particularly in community and macro practice courses.