What is Asset Mapping?

Asset Mapping, or the process of creating a map of community assets, is a hands-on experience that centers the participants’ experiences and opinions. Over-sized aerial maps of a community are the canvas for community members to share their perspectives on their community and its resources. We hope to learn more about the community that we can’t learn from just looking at a map ourselves.

Pollywog and the EL Hub are conducting a regional Asset Mapping Project in 16 rural Linn/Benton/Lincoln communities. Asset mapping is an innovative tool for community-based participatory research, and with this project we seek to engage and center the voices and experiences of families raising young children in rural communities.

The selected communities are: Brownsville, Halsey, Harrisburg, Lebanon, Mill City/Lyons, Scio, and Sweet Home (Linn County); Alsea, Monroe, and Philomath (Benton County); Depoe Bay, Lincoln City, Newport, Siletz, Toledo, and Waldport (Lincoln County).

These selected communities were chosen because they are similar in size (under 20,000 residents) and have two of these existing assets - a grocery store that sells fresh meats and produce, a library, and a health care clinic.

Host an Asset Mapping Session

With each Asset Mapping session, we ask direct questions about families’ experiences in accessing resources and services in their community and beyond. Their answers show where families encounter gaps in needed support and will translate into data that will inform program funding plans across our region.

Completed Asset Map Projects

Philomath

• Philomath Asset Mapping Report (English)
• Philomath Asset Mapping Report (Spanish)

Harrisburg

• Harrisburg Asset Mapping Report (English)
• Harrisburg Asset Mapping Report (Spanish)