A part of town gets the reputation for being “tough,” or “declining,” which is constantly reinforced in the media and local gossip. The whole focus is on everything that’s wrong: bad schools, bad crime, bad housing, bad gangs, bad economic opportunities. Yet even in the most economically and socially challenged communities, there are a lot of good things going on—shared dreams, community assets, and ways that people come together. Drawing on the abilities and insight of local residents empowers them, Kretzmann says. This empowers people, Kretzmann says, drawing on the abilities and insight of local residents to solve a neighborhood’s own problems.