ABSTRACT
An extensive network of applied anthropologists in the Memphis area have redesigned the delivery of a housing weatherization program to more effectively meet the needs of over 300,000 low- to moderate-income customers. Anthropologists examined the role of local agencies in the delivery of social services and established an active internship program in the community. The mediation of a working relationship involved the reallocation and pooling of resources by the agencies and neighborhood groups. Equally important to the knowledge of word-of-mouth communication systems is an understanding of the dynamics of how social network systems function in a particular locale. As anthropologists we assisted in setting up a new communication system. In this instance communication represented a source of power for a low-income neighborhood and also served the public agencies’ agenda of increasing participation rates and hence implementing a more effective delivery system.
