Over the years working alongside vulnerable people and communities, one thing has become really clear to me: lasting change doesn’t start with programs or strategies. It starts with people. With listening. With understanding the place we’re stepping into before we try to do anything in it.
It’s tempting to lead with big ideas—solutions that worked somewhere else, expert advice, or well-polished plans. But real impact usually doesn’t come from copying and pasting. It comes from slowing down, listening carefully, and earning the trust of the community we’re hoping to support.
Every Place Has a Story
Every community I’ve worked with has its own story. It’s shaped by culture, history, family, pain, hope, and strength. I’ve learned that where someone lives can deeply affect how they live—their relationships, what they believe is possible, who they trust, and how they view outside help.
That’s why it’s so important to ask simple but honest questions:
What’s really going on here? What’s working well already? What’s hurting? Who are the people others look up to?
If we don’t take the time to understand those things, even the most well-meaning efforts can feel forced or disconnected. But when we begin by listening, we honour people’s experiences and build support that actually fits the local context.
People Share Stories Before They Share Needs
In my experience, before someone tells you what they need, they usually tell you a story. A story about something they’ve faced, a person they’ve lost, a dream they’re holding onto. These stories are windows into what matters most to them.
That’s why I believe we should never treat stories like an add-on. They’re not just a way to “sell” a program. They should shape how we respond. Because when we listen to someone’s story, we stop seeing them as a problem to fix—and start seeing them as someone to walk with.
Focus on Strengths, Not Just Struggles
One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned is to look for what’s strong, not just what’s wrong. Too often, vulnerable communities are viewed through the lens of disadvantage. But when you really listen, you’ll find strength, creativity, leadership, and deep care.
There are always people already doing good work—whether it’s a youth mentor, a local elder, a parent holding things together, or a grassroots group stepping up in quiet ways.
When we come alongside these people and support what they’re already building, we don’t just create better outcomes—we create ownership and long-term change.
Start with Learning
At the heart of it all is a willingness to learn. Every community, every person, has something to teach us—if we’re open to it. Real impact begins when we show up curious, not certain; when we listen more than we speak.
In my experience, the more I’ve leaned into learning—about people’s stories, local history, what’s already working—the more trust is built. And with trust comes the chance to do work that’s not only more effective, but more meaningful. When we lead as learners first, our efforts become rooted in relationship, not assumption—and that’s when lasting change can start to grow.
Final Thought
Real social change doesn’t start with having the right answers—it starts with being willing to learn. When we enter a community with curiosity, not certainty, we begin to see people for who they truly are—not just what they’ve been through, but what they carry, what they know, and what they’re capable of.
If we lead by learning—listening deeply, honouring stories, and building on what’s already strong—we give ourselves the best chance to create change that’s not just measurable, but meaningful. Not something we do to a community, but something we build with them. And that makes all the difference.
TJ (Tim Johnson)
National Mentoring Program Manager
COACH Network
