Using their 12 indicators, a trained team in Albuquerque surveyed 155 households and mapped out 1700 property parcels, focusing on social, structural, and economic factors. It begins with a neighbor-to-neighbor conversation and survey with the proposition that, “effective strategies start with accurate diagnosis.” The honest answers reveal how they “see” the neighborhood. Where else to turn but to the Lupton Center in South Atlanta, with its 40 years of experience in serving the inner city with an entrepreneurial business focus? They had developed the Flourishing Neighborhood Index to measure the health of the community. They teamed up together to drive a multi-faceted and inter-group partnership with a goal to redeem every aspect of the district, so that each can flourish and be a testimony of God’s grace. 1”Īll of this made sense to Marv’s son, Matt and also Alex, who had grown up in the war zone and gained valuable life and academic experience in California before returning to Albuquerque. Lupton acknowledges a place for aid, but he affirms, “When relief does not transition to development in a timely way, compassion becomes toxic. When we do for those in need what they have the capacity to do for themselves, we disempower them when it comes to local and global needs, the granting of money too often creates dependence and conflict, not independence and respect.

Why?Ī dozen years ago, I read Robert Lupton’s revealing book, Toxic Charity, where the author clearly established that much of our domestic and foreign aid projects are toxic in the sense that they destroy personal initiative.

The neighborhood is a difficult one to operate a thriving business, and after 25 years of being there, Marv’s business moved to another part of town, but now they’re planning to move back – back into the International District.

Many businesses leave areas like the war zone. And for sure, you do not think of the International District, formerly called the “War Zone”, with its daily gang violence, drug use, challenging schooling, high rates of domestic violence, teen pregnancy, and low wages. You probably don’t think of a city with a crime rate 171% higher than the national rate.

What comes to your mind when a certain city is mentioned? How about New York – the Statue of Liberty? Miami – white sand beaches? Dallas – Cowboys? San Franciso – Golden Gate? The largest city in New Mexico is Albuquerque what do you think of? How about the largest hot air balloon festival in the world, with its’ nine days of activities for over 500 balloons.

War zone albuquerque