"Anchor Institutions" -- schools, churches, temples, family resource centers, primary health centers, community-based businesses, recreation centers, settlement houses -- are vitally important for the stability of a community. They can also be critically important connecting points among families.
In addition to strong, productive family institutions, any strong community of place needs a healthy network of such institutions. Their presence helps maintain a positive community identity. They buttress property values. They deliver services that are competent with the language and cultural traditions of the people who inhabit the place. They provide safe havens for children.
Building strong anchor institutions constitutes one of the important goals of family-based community development.
Dr. Kordesh directed a project, Illinois Workforce Advantage, which strengthened distressed communities by mobilizing state government resources around anchor institutions, especially school-based centers and community centers. For more info, click below:
