Community Mapping

COMMUNITY MAPPING

Thought Leadership from Collaborate This document was published in collaboration with CAFO Research Center1

2

CAFO Collaborate workshops initiate conversations about effective care for vulnerable children and families within the local church and NGO networks around the world.

These workshops generate ideas to: • creatively share information • involve more churches and individuals, • equip local churches for more effective care of vulnerable children in their communities.

In a January Virtual Collaborate DISCUSS session, global leaders brainstormed about community mapping.

COMMUNITY MAPPING In this virtual Collaborate LEARN session, Dr. Nicole Wilke and David Hennessey shared best practices and key insights regarding community mapping. Community mapping is more than just creating a diagram—it’s a powerful tool to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for collaboration within networks. Through guided discussions, interactive exercises, and practical tools, participants learned how to chart the people, organizations, and resources that make up their communities.

You may view the LEARN session here.

3

COLLABORATE OUTCOMES Global leaders were divided by world region for the purpose of this discussion. Given the unique nature of each world region and the indigenous cultures native to each region, the feedback from regions varied. Each group was tasked with the following question: Consider how a Community Mapping project could improve services for vulnerable children and families in your community.

• List 3–5 specific areas (e.g., gaps, relationships, services, or situations) where this project could enhance support.

• For each area, explain how you will measure or confirm the improvement.

4

5

REGIONAL STRATEGIES Asia, Europe and North America •

Area/Gap 1: Support for kinship placements, foster/adoptive families

•

Area/Gap 2: Training and education for professionals, families

•

Area/Gap 3: Accessibility of services for kids in care & post-adoption

Measurement: Participants noted they would use metrics to track improvement in these areas, including data from local churches and NGOs. Following a community mapping event, a metrics spreadsheet would be created and frequently updated.

Eastern/Southern Africa •

Area/Gap 1: Relationships

•

Area/Gap 2: Training

•

Area/Gap 3: Services

Measurement: Participants noted that a team would be identified at the community mapping event and tasked with following up and tracking data.

6

Latin America •

Area/Gap 1: Competence (Improve skills and programs)

•

Area/Gap 2: Legal Support for Families

•

Area/Gap 3: Church Mobilization

Measurement: Following a community mapping event, a metrics spreadsheet would be created and frequently updated.

• •

Middle East •

Area/Gap 1: Psychological Support

•

Area/Gap 2: Parenting

•

Area/Gap 3: Physical Needs (ie. food, medical care)

•

Area/Gap 4: Awareness

•

Area/Gap 5: Community Support

Measurement: Sanadak worked with a scientific research institute to analyze and measure the successes and failures of their project. *The group from the Middle East based their responses on a recently completed Community Mapping project.

7

cafo.org/global

This document was published in collaboration with CAFO Research Center

© 2025 Christian Alliance for Orphans 8