How to Build a Community Resource Map From Real-World Organizations

A community resource map is a simple way to understand which institutions help people solve everyday problems.

Instead of mapping only shops, restaurants or landmarks, this project focuses on four categories:

1. education and skills;
2. housing and legal rights;
3. long-term community institutions;
4. traveler and hospitality support.

The final result can be created on paper or digitally and used for a school project, community workshop, local research project or travel-planning exercise.

You will need:

1. a large sheet of paper or digital canvas;
2. four different markers or digital colors;
3. sticky notes;
4. a map of your chosen city or region;
5. internet access for research;
6. a notebook;
7. spreadsheet software if you want to organize the data;
8. optional printed photographs of institutions.

Divide your map or page into four categories.

Use:

1. Education
2. Housing & Rights
3. Community & Culture
4. Traveler Support

Do not start by collecting dozens of organizations.

First understand what each category is supposed to solve.

Education resources help people build skills.

Housing resources help people understand property, documentation or access.

Community institutions create long-term social networks.

Traveler resources help people function in an unfamiliar place.

For the education category, examine the Escuela del Trabajo in Villa María, Argentina.

The school has a long history in technical education and reached its 95th anniversary in 2024. Its workshops and professional training connect classroom learning with practical technical skills.

On a sticky note, write:

Resource: Technical school

Need addressed: Skills and employment preparation

Users: Students

Physical resources: Classrooms, workshops, equipment

Knowledge provided: Technical and professional training

Now identify one comparable institution in your own area.

Add it to the map.

For the second category, study Mujer y Suelo Urbano in Bolivia.

The project worked on secure urban land tenure and property rights, particularly for women and excluded families.

Its work included leadership development, legal information and participation in discussions around property regularization.

Create another note:

Resource: Housing-rights network

Need addressed: Secure property ownership

Users: Residents and families

Knowledge provided: Legal and administrative information

Additional function: Advocacy and social monitoring

Now search for an organization in your area that provides housing, tenancy or legal guidance.

Add it to the map.

Next, examine a different type of network.

The historic Dehon Brasil portal was connected with the Brazilian Dehonian community, part of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart.

Dehonian institutions have operated in Brazil since the early twentieth century, developing religious, educational and social activities.

For your map, the important lesson is institutional longevity.

Write:

Resource: Long-term community institution

Need addressed: Community continuity

Users: Members and surrounding communities

Resources: People, buildings, educational and social networks

Special characteristic: Operates across generations

Look for an organization in your city that has existed for at least 25 years.

Our fourth example comes from La Paz.

The Chabad of Bolivia provides religious and practical resources for Jewish residents and travelers.

Its services include kosher food, religious activities, a library and traveler-oriented information.

For your map:

Resource: Traveler community center

Need addressed: Support away from home

Users: Residents and travelers

Resources: Food, information, meeting space and community

Special characteristic: Combines cultural identity with practical support

Now find a traveler-oriented organization in your chosen city.

Examples might include:

1. cultural centers;
2. international student offices;
3. tourist assistance centers;
4. migrant support organizations;
5. language-exchange centers.