Answer the following question based on the scenario: Scenario is given below:

1)What kinds of power do you recognize in the scenario? As an Social service worker working to support the Riverview community, why do you need to have knowledge of different kinds of power?

How has power been used by the RPCC and has it been effective in achieving results, explain?  Is there a kind of power that the RPCC lacks and how could it get/use that kind of power?

The suburban community of Riverview is part of a large urban metropolis. Riverview was built approximately 60 years ago and was originally home to working class and lower middle-class families. It became well known for its many riverside parks and forested areas with bike and jogging trails, decent schools, inexpensive apartments and well-maintained single-family homes.

           In recent decades, Riverview's population changed as waves of immigrants settled there, attracted by its reasonably priced housing. As the population grew and became more diverse, new problems arose. A lack of adequate public transportation made it difficult for residents to travel to stores and work. New immigrants found it difficult to integrate into the local community due to language barriers and cultural differences. The few settlement services available were soon overwhelmed by the demand and many immigrants were left without any kind of help at all.

           Also during recent years, several economic recessions occurred which caused many nearby factories to close down - a main source of jobs and income for Riverview. As unemployment grew in Riverview, other social problems also increased, including crime, drugs, alcohol abuse, and youth gangs formed. Many long-time residents moved away seeking employment and safer streets. Even as residents left Riverview, more new immigrants took their place creating overcrowded conditions in many low-rent apartment buildings.

           Riverview's reputation deteriorated and it became known as "the bad part of town". Many of the apartment buildings became run down slums. Several shootings in the area became front page stories in local newspapers. Police drug busts at local schools became regular events. All this was too much for some local residents and they took action. They formed community groups, the most prominent became known as the Riverview People's Committee for Change or RPCC for short.  The RPCC held rallies and petitioned the city government for more help. The RPCC was able to mobilize and unite other community groups such as Churches, Mosques, Temples and the environmental group called the Green River Alliance (GRA).

           The city government responded by increasing funding for police, transportation, and some local social services. The regional government also participated in trying to help by providing tax incentives for businesses willing to locate in the area.

           Globo corp, a large, multinational business has just made a proposal to the city to allow it to develop a section of the waterfront in Riverview. The new development proposal would include five large condominium buildings and a variety of retail stores and office space.

More about the Riverview People's Committee for Change (RPCC)

           For 30 years the community has watched the roads and sidewalks crack and crumble. They've watched their children attend schools full of drugs and violence. They've stood by as businesses and factories closed down. They've watched their paycheck get smaller and their bills get larger. They've slowly seen their once bright future in Riverview fade.  And now they've had enough!!

           The RPCC says: "It's time for a change and if the powers that be will not listen, it's time to make them listen." They're motto is "Community Power!". The leadership of the RPCC has a burning desire to do whatever is necessary to improve conditions in Riverview. The commitment to this cause has won allies among the Churches, Mosques and Temples of Riverview. The RPCC has also worked with the Green River Alliance but do not agree with the GRA's use of aggressive tactics (burning police cars and violent demonstrations).

The RPCC feels that it represents the needs of the average resident of Riverview whose voice is not being heard. It has had mixed reviews in the media, some seeing it as fighting for community rights, but many see it as bullying the city into getting more than its fair share of the city budget.

           Through activism and media campaigns the RPCC has been able to motivate local and regional governments to put more money and resources into Riverview. Although a few positives have emerged from its work, there is still much more to be done and its goals include: Dealing with the youth gangs, getting drugs out of schools, improving transportation and improving the economy.

           Most of all, the RPCC still feels ignored and insulted, even when help is provided. Governments and other organizations seldom discuss their plans with it and develop programs that often fail and waste valuable resources. These failures are often blamed on the people of Riverside because of their perceived "laziness and dependency". The RPCC has had enough of this kind of treatment!

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