ServicesCommunity Assessment

A community assessment provides community leaders with a snapshot of the assets of a specific neighborhood or community and identifies potential concerns that it faces. We are specialists in helping collective impact or other multi-partner collaboratives undertake community assessments. We do this work in urban neighborhoods of large cities, such as the north shore section of Staten Island, New York City, and in mid-size cities like Camden, New Jersey, Parkside, Maine, and College Park and East Point, Georgia. 

These carefully-planned studies examine existing programs and services; define needs, resources, and outcomes; and identify gaps in services. We involve young people, community members, agency or program staff, business representatives, and others throughout the needs and asset assessment process.

We plan community assessments that feature:

• A community-driven approach that uses a broadly-representative community assessment team to guide and inform the study activities
• A multi-focal methodology that combines qualitative and quantitative data and uses both primary statistical information and secondary data (e.g., neighborhood surveys, community leader interviews)
• A culturally competent framework for communicating and working with stakeholders and for collecting data on the needs of children, youth, and families that takes into account race, culture, language, and ethnicity

Let Metis Associates Help with Your Next Community Assessment Project.

For additional information about Metis’s community assessment services, please contact Donna Wilkens.

Community Assessment Case Studies

Community-Led Needs and Resource Assessment in Maine

Metis researchers supported a community-led effort to identify needs, service gaps, and assets within a Portland, Maine neighborhood. Findings helped launch a multi-partner collective impact effort focused on neighborhood transformation.

Leveraging Community Partners for Camden Assets and Needs Assessment

Strong partner collaboration drives a comprehensive community assessment of a distressed neighborhood in Camden, New Jersey. Findings led to greater use of community assets and the development of new programs and services along a cradle-to-career continuum.