At FCS, our mission statement isn’t just a paragraph on our website – it’s infused into everything we do every day. We’ve been thoughtful about the way we’ve constructed our mission statement and core values, and they’re a great way for us to unpack the way we approach our work. Today, we’re diving into the elements included in our mission statement, with a special focus on our definition of “development.”

What’s Our Mission Statement at FCS?

In case you haven’t run across it yet, here’s our core mission statement. Focused Community Strategies partners with under-resourced neighborhoods to provide innovative and holistic development that produces flourishing communities in God’s Shalom.

What Does “Partners With” Mean?

This phrase addresses the way we enter a community. It explains the posture with which we come in and learn about who lives in a neighborhood. It’s how we begin. FCS doesn’t approach a neighborhood with the goal of solving problems. Instead, we seek to partner – both with neighbors and with other organizations. We think it’s impractical to think that one organization could do it alone.

We focus on partnership in our mission because it’s a learned skill, and it takes maturity. Our definition of partnership is thoughtful about working together and shows deference to all parties involved. And, at the end of the day, working and learning with others just makes things more fun. It adds to the joy of the process.

What Does “Holistic” Mean?

Our work goes wide and deep. We don’t enter a neighborhood seeking to conduct programs. Instead, we see intimacy with neighbors to be the first goal. As we seek flourishing, particularly with legacy neighbors, we seek to foster environments where everyone can experience growth.

What Does “Innovative” Mean?

Truth be told, we come from an innovative history. Our founder, Bob Lupton, came from an entrepreneurial background, so the idea of using creativity to solve problems is baked into our DNA. It’s not just culturally relevant language.

In our work, we’re often looking at communities where there are a number of challenges and issues that the community residents are faced with. For so long in the effort to eliminate those, organizations have tried to lay the same plan over the top of everyone in the neighborhood, as if they’re not unique individuals.

At FCS, we challenge ourselves to continually respond to changing challenges with innovation. How can we use creativity to produce even better solutions? Programs can’t be static. If you want impact, you have to be flexible. We’re focused on the long game, and we’re not interested in replicating a program. Instead, we’re concerned with intimacy with the neighborhood.

One tangible example of our emphasis on innovation comes from the language of our mission statement itself. Our team isn’t satisfied with the phrase “under resourced,” and we’ve been looking for a better alternative. However, we keep getting stuck in our efforts. Though we’re continuing to pursue more appropriate language that doesn’t offer a negative connotation, we’re not waiting to continue in the work that needs to be done. At the moment, we’re accepting that this language isn’t perfect, and we’ll continue to innovate.

What Does “Development” Mean?

Development is a core value word for us. We use the word several ways internally. First, we talk about development vs. relief, or long term vs. emergency solutions to chronic poverty. We’ve tried to position FCS not in opposition to relief, but as an entity that offers a different approach. We think about how we can build economic, social, structural capacity in place so that sustainability goes up and flourishing goes up for everyone in place. We’re in the game for long term solutions to chronic poverty.

We also think of development in terms of a built environment. In neighborhoods that have suffered under disinvestment, built environments are often necessary to reduce blight and increase health.

Finally, we view development as sustainability. We think the real solutions to material poverty need to include economic drivers, economic inclusion, and economic mobility. We get in on the ground level and do the step-by-step change needed for long term solutions. At FCS, we’re always thinking about how we are changing and building systems that will eliminate the need for relief and change the trajectory for the individuals and communities we serve. Rather than just meeting needs, we’re asking why those needs exist in the first place.

We’re deeply embedded in place. Our staff lives where we work. We believe that in order to see long term change, we need to walk in solidarity, live in proximity, and address issues at a systems level. These goals are impacted by our emphasis on development.

Interested in Learning More?

We’d love for you to explore more about the work we do at Focused Community Strategies, and in our consulting and training arm, The Lupton Center. Reach out with questions, and we’d love to have a conversation about how we can partner with you to bring flourishing to your neighborhood.

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