
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.Â
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.
What Our Clients Say
Throughout our partnership, we have leveraged the talent and expertise of the Metis team to secure significant federal funding, develop the infrastructure for a case management system, and survey administration. We have created strategies that position our agency to better support and engage the community and sustain critical programs and services. We look forward to new opportunities that expand our successful collaboration.
Megan Lepore, Director of Development & Sustainability, Center For Family Services