Problem Solving with Limited Resources

October 27, 2010

How can an organization tackle complex problems when power (and money) are scarce?  The second year lecturer this week was Carmen Rhodes, the executive director of FRESC, a nonprofit that operates out of Denver, Colorado. FRESC’s mission is to push development projects in Denver to provide fair paying jobs, affordable housing and environmental sustainability. Currently, they are working with developers to build affordable housing around light rail mass transit stops in Denver because 70% of low income budgets are spent on shelter and transportation.

Ms. Rhodes spoke to the class about how FRESC achieved change by utilizing public support and bringing awareness to issues. She illustrated this struggle through a “Power Analysis” diagram, which ranks the major player’s power and bias towards an issue. The models addressed the many complex social issues effecting problems each student chose to focus on this semester.

Ms. Rhodes personal experience in dealing with complex social issues gave a new perspective to students. She concluded her presentation by stating that change takes time and can only occur if the public and private sectors are pushed to do more.