The Future of Community Development Is Co-Designed: Introducing the Smalltimore Homes Community Hub
- LaQuida Chancey
- Jul 27
- 3 min read
For generations, communities have been asked to participate in programs that were designed without them.
A survey after the decisions were made.
A public meeting once the plans were finalized.
A request for feedback after construction had already begun.
At Smalltimore Homes, we believe there's a better way.
What if residents helped shape the ideas before they became projects?
What if volunteers could contribute more than just their time?
What if students learned alongside community members instead of simply studying them?
What if businesses, nonprofits, healthcare providers, researchers, artists, technologists, and neighbors worked together from the very beginning?
Those questions inspired the creation of the Smalltimore Homes Community Hub.
It isn't simply another website.
It's an invitation to help build Baltimore together.
More Than a Volunteer Form
When most people hear "Community Hub," they picture a place to sign up for volunteer opportunities.
Volunteering is certainly one part of the story.
But our vision is much broader.
The Community Hub is designed to become a living ecosystem where people can share ideas, resources, opportunities, skills, and lived experiences that strengthen neighborhoods.
Whether someone has an hour to volunteer, professional expertise to share, building materials to donate, research interests, or simply a desire to stay connected, there should be a meaningful way to participate.
Community development works best when everyone has something to contribute.
Built on Community Feedforward
One of the guiding ideas behind the Community Hub is something we call Community Feedforward.
Instead of waiting until projects are complete to ask for opinions, we invite people into the design process from the very beginning.
Feedforward asks different questions.
Not:
"Do you like what we've already built?"
Instead:
"What should we build together?"
That simple shift changes the relationship between organizations and communities.
Residents become collaborators.
Students become partners.
Volunteers become contributors.
Organizations become listeners.
Inspired by Asset-Based Community Development
Too often, neighborhoods are described by what they lack.
Not enough housing.
Not enough investment.
Not enough resources.
Not enough opportunity.
Smalltimore Homes takes a different approach.
We begin by asking:
What strengths already exist?
Who are the neighborhood leaders?
What skills are already present?
What businesses are investing locally?
What traditions should be preserved?
What knowledge already lives here?
This asset-based perspective reminds us that every community possesses wisdom, creativity, resilience, and leadership.
Development should build upon those assets—not overlook them.
Connecting Housing, Health, and Technology
The Community Hub reflects the many ways Smalltimore Homes approaches neighborhood development.
Some people may join because they're interested in affordable housing or tiny homes.
Others may want to participate in wellness walks, resident-led research, or neighborhood improvement projects.
Some may be curious about ethical AI, digital inclusion, or how technology can strengthen—not replace—community relationships.
Students may want hands-on learning experiences.
Healthcare professionals may see opportunities to address the social determinants of health.
Businesses may want to partner on workforce development or neighborhood investment.
Each person enters through a different door, but together we help build stronger communities.
Community Leadership Is Shared Leadership
We don't believe meaningful change comes from one organization acting alone.
It comes from shared leadership.
Shared ownership.
Shared responsibility.
And shared hope.
That's why the Community Hub is designed to make it easier for people to find one another, collaborate across sectors, and turn good ideas into meaningful action.
Every contribution matters.
Every perspective has value.
Every relationship strengthens the network.
An Invitation, Not Just an Announcement
Today, we're inviting you to help shape what comes next.
The Community Hub is still growing, and that's intentional.
We're listening before expanding.
Learning before launching new features.
Building relationships before building systems.
Because the future of community development isn't something organizations deliver to communities.
It's something communities create together.
Join the Community Hub
Whether you're a resident, volunteer, student, researcher, nonprofit leader, business owner, healthcare professional, educator, policymaker, artist, or simply someone who believes stronger neighborhoods begin with stronger relationships, there's a place for you here.
We're asking one simple question:
How would you like to help build a healthier, more connected Baltimore?
Take two minutes to complete the Smalltimore Homes Community Hub Interest Form:
Together, we're not just imagining the future of community development.
We're building it—one relationship, one idea, and one neighbor at a time.
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