What is Just Communities Inc (JCI)?
Just Communities Inc. (JCI) conducts community-based project consulting and implementation. JCI collaborates and cooperates with individuals, groups, and organizations in the Sonoran Desert Region in order to achieve equitable community and economic development improvements that benefit all members of the community. JCI designs and uses transformative community and economic development ideas and strategies by identifying successes and leveraging assets.
Policylink (www.PolicyLink.org) is a national research and action institute advancing economic and social equity. JCI’s mission is values driven and is inspired by Policylink, which identifies four principles of equitable community and economic development:
- The integration of people and place strategies
- Reduction of local and regional disparities
- Promotion of "double bottom line" investments
- Inclusion of meaningful community voice, participation, and leadership.
JCI advances this framework to create a triple bottom line approach to sustainable development, as described in the Morrison Institute’s report on Sustainability for Arizona. This report focuses on economy, environment, and social equity in order to distinguish a project’s full costs and potential benefits.
Just Communities Inc.'s overall services:
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A. Develop and create productive relationships and networks between the public and private sectors
B. Conduct community-centered research and analysis
C. Provide technical assistance and tools
D. Generate community based strategies for public discourse and decision-making
JCI believes that solutions to problems in the community are best solved by those that live in the community. Based on the four principles of equitable development, JCI amplifies the agenda of its members and the community to catalyze equitable community and economic development. JCI engages in policymaking so that policies address community needs and values at the local, regional, and federal levels.