ABSTRACT
A community organization creates opportunities and reasons for residents to meet one another and work together. This chapter focuses on local organizations as a fundamental element of community. It provides a range of facilities and services, and develops and celebrates local traditions. The first people to find social lives outside the block were minorities and people who had a difficult time finding immediate neighbors with similar cultural and social interests. They began to look for friends among people they met at communitywide meetings or fund drives; they joined voluntary associations such as drama societies, art clubs, folk dance clubs, great books clubs, or babysitting groups. One may question why, if the residents of Levittown can form organizations with little or no outside help, we should include organization building as part of a community design.
