Joe Erpenbeck

ABCD in Life and at Work

An a-MAZE-ing Community Builder

Himy Syed is likely to show up almost anywhere in the city studying what is going on and looking for an opportune time and pl...

Sustaining Community Building Work

Last week I hosted a training on ABCD at DePaul University in Chicago with a team of ABCD Faculty Members and Fellows. Th...

Hospitality on Bus 50

Hospitality on Bus 50 … The driver noticed me sitting down in the seat gingerly and getting my legs positioned j...

Treasures That Vanish

As I drove into Ravenna, Ohio I saw this drive-in movie theater. I was nostalgic thinking of places in our communities that a...

“Joe has created a small team of people who are moving from providing service to building community. His work has radical implications for social service and he has the results to show it. Joe’s work is done with great compassion and courage. He directs a group that is applying the asset based principles of John McKnight in new ways. The results he is achieving are significant; his group is directly bringing those on the margin into community...Joe is creating a model for care and inclusion that sets the standard for what is possible.”

Peter Block

Noted Cincinnati Author & Consultant

"The nature of Joe's work is the most creative we have ever observed. The integrity and effectiveness of his efforts are models for the rest of the nation."

John McKnight

Co-Director The Asset-Based Community Development Institute

"Community development is a big idea, and a thing I’ve enjoyed so much about Joe’s work is that his approachable manner allows everyone to participate and see how they could have a role. I’ve been part of this conversation with groups who have been together for a long time, having the same old conversations, and its been a gift to watch Joe lead - not push - them into the potential of new ideas in an appreciative way. Like many, I did not enter those conversations easily, and, like many, I came to really appreciate his genius (I use this work carefully) for this work."

Joe Erpenbeck

Working Together

Projects and Impact

Stories

Stories of Connected Communities