Podcast: Undertanding and Preventing “Not In My Back Yard” Opposition

In this second installment of a two-part feature on NIMBYism, guest Steve Fields of The Progress Foundation shares his views and experiences in dealing with community opposition to facilities like The PEER Center, featured in the previous episode. In addition to offering his views on the Center’s situation, he also shares his method for preventing community opposition before the opening of a facility. He also offers his opinions on why people are so afraid of such facilities, how to minimize or eliminate that fear, and reflects on the emotional impact of such opposition, which often can’t help being interpreted as a personal attack.

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NIMBY Show Highlights:

“[It’s about] fear and money – and righteousness doesn’t make it work. It makes the services work, but not the politics.” ~ Steve Fields

[4:00]   The problem with “NIMBY” as a name.

[6:07]   Steve’s observations about The PEER Center’s situation.

[8:42]   How can a non-profit prevent NIMBY opposition?

[15:15] Why are people and communities so afraid?

[25:39] The emotional impact of NIMBY.

 

 

About Our Guest

Steve Fields, MPA, has served as the Executive Director of Progress Foundation, a non-profit mental health agency since 1969. Progress Foundation provides a range of residential treatment services as alternatives to institutional care for persons with severe mental disabilities in San Francisco, Sonoma and Napa counties in California. Mr. Fields has been involved in the development of social rehabilitation programs for over 40 years. Progress Foundation pioneered the development of acute residential alternatives to hospitalization, and opened the first social model residential treatment programs for geriatric clients in the country and the first social model residential treatment program for women and their children. Under the leadership of the Executive Director, Progress Foundation has also taken a lead role in developing supported housing for persons with disabilities.

About The Psych Central Show Hosts

Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar and anxiety disorders. In addition to hosting The Psych Central Show, Gabe is an associate editor for PsychCentral.com. He also runs an online Facebook community, The Positive Depression/Bipolar Happy Place, and invites you to join. To work with Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

 

 

 

Vincent M. Wales is a former suicide prevention counselor who lives with persistent depressive disorder. In addition to co-hosting The Psych Central Show, Vincent is the author of several award-winning novels and the creator of costumed hero Dynamistress. Visit his websites at www.vincentmwales.com and www.dynamistress.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

from World of Psychology https://psychcentral.com/blog/podcast-undertanding-and-preventing-not-in-my-back-yard-opposition/