Joe Erpenbeck

Consultant and ABCD Institute Faculty Member

Working Together

Projects and Impact

Stories

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Where Do You Go?

Where Do You Go?

I met an evaluator several years ago who spoke of an idea to explore the relationships in our lives. His idea was to have a p...

What a Transformation

What a Transformation

I visited this white building last when I was 7 or so years old. Then it was an auto repair shop where my Dad worked. I tagge...

A Beautiful Portfolio

A Beautiful Portfolio

I wrote this story 5 years ago while visiting Northern Wisconsin. I was reminded of it recently as groups imagine what the im...

What Do You Collect?

What Do You Collect?

Some community connectors I know collect interesting questions. These are the questions that help tap into what we care about...

Growing Community

Growing Community

A few years ago I met two people who were looking for ideas on how to discover the skills, interests, gifts and connections o...

Not So Hidden Gem

Not So Hidden Gem

One of my favourite places to visit when I am back in Cincinnati is Sebastians. Sebastian’s Greek Restaurant is a tiny ...

Sweet Neighbourhood Doughnuts

Sweet Neighbourhood Doughnuts

The doughnuts were works of art in the display case. There were so many colours and creative names to go with the colourful m...

A What??!!!

A What??!!!

If you were doing an asset map of my neighbourhood this “car tarp wheely board jungle gym” would have to be in it...

“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

Peter Block

Noted Cincinnati Author & Consultant

"Joe Erpenbeck is in my opinion one of the very best, if not the best community connector in North America."

John McKnight

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."

Aaron Johannes

Aaron Johannes

www.imagineacircle.com