Strengthening Families as Flashmob
Nov 05 2009During the opening session of the Summit, Francie Zimmerman, program officer at the Doris Duke Charitable Fund, shared a video that helps explain how Strengthening Families has been adopted by people all across the country:
The phenomenon depicted here at Oprah’s 24th Anniversary Season Kickoff Show is known as a “flashmob.” What did it take to pull this off? A core group of 200 professional dancers learned the choreography and gathered for the Black Eyed Peas show, where thousands of others, notified through social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter, joined them. The dancers taught the crowd the basic moves, and it was showtime.
Strengthening Families leaders around the country are like that core group of dancers. The more they share their expertise with others, the more it spreads out to practitioners, parents, policymakers, and community members who care about children and families. Language, goals, and strategies are aligned, and the power of each individual actor is amplified by the group. Before we know it, everyone could be working together towards the “new normal,” where building Protective Factors to strengthen families, prevent maltreatment, and promote optimal development is the standard.
How well does the flashmob analogy fit the Strengthening Families work where you are?
Comments
Love that analogy Kate!
This was GREAT! Plus after hearing about this last week, I had the opportunity to be in a flash mob yesterday, which will be featured on a new ABC show about healthy eating from Chef Jamie Oliver.
If you have the chance to be in a flash mob in person, DO IT! In the meantime, it’s great being part of a national flash mob for Strengthening Families!
