Ask an Advisor Answers

Dear Ms. Bishop,  We are unsure what article you are referring to. (Do you mean a particular Community Tool Box chapter perhaps? Note that the responders to Ask-an-Advisor rotate every 3 months.). We are not sure what specific issue you are facing. But we can tell from your question that you are very frustrated, which we understand. Please know that your feelings are valid and we hope you can channel those feelings into effective action.

We shared your question with one of the founders of the Community Tool Box, who suggested you might find it helpful to get some local help on your issue. It is unlikely that you are the only person in your community who is concerned about the issue.  If you ask around in your network of neighbors, friends [including your social media networks] and colleagues, or other trusted person in your community (a minister, counselor, or councilmember), you may find another like-minded person, or even better, a small group of people, to talk with about the issue and plan a response together.  That could ease some of the stress and frustration you may be feeling.  If you can’t find such a person, then perhaps you could reach out to someone who shares the issue in another community near yours or that you know people in, even if not close to yours.  [See the chapters and toolkits in the Community Tool Box on this site for detailed suggestions on recruiting other participants to help build an organized community effort.]

Sorry if that is not very helpful, but feel free to write again to clarify your situation and we will try to provide more specific suggestions. Good luck!