Week 3: Class Reading - Kerry

“Mapping Community Capacity” 

by McKnight & Kretzmann

The authors of this article have an interesting approach to thinking about low-income neighborhoods and those who live there: look for the uplifting assets instead of the draining deficiencies. They call these assets “capacities” and insist they are the key to rejuvenating those areas. The first step they recommend is a psychological one: don’t think of a neighborhood in terms of being blighted, think of it as teeming with untapped resources and possibilities. McKnight and Kretzmann see the problem as form-follows-function: residents of these areas are thought of by others as being dependent and needy, so they in turn come to believe it of themselves, and thereby continue dependent behavior patterns. This is a hallmark of what the authors call a “needs-oriented” strategy: public and private agencies provide services to fulfill the individual’s needs and solve their problems (for now). The person will thus become a “client” and continually seek out these services rather than providing a solution for themselves (aka free riders). The biggest culprits of this needs-oriented line of thinking are the various providers of services (federal housing programs, state food stamp programs, local aid providers) that fulfill the immediate needs of low-income individuals but do so in such a way as to deprive these persons of an incentive to seek a self-based solution to their problems.

McKnight and Kretzmann believe that within each low-income community exists resources (capacities) that can allow residents to become productive and self-providing, thereby breaking the circle of dependency on the “system”. They think of this strategy of helping the poor as the “capacity focused alternative” to the needs system. Drawing inspiration from the long-used deficiency maps of low-income areas (that usually show the problems of an area), the authors instead offer an alternative: a capacity map showing the latent resources in the area. They then provide a template of three groups of “building blocks” which a neighborhood can draw from to help its residents plan to become self-sufficient. They are:

Primary Building Blocks. These are assets that are located and controlled by the neighborhood. These building blocks consist of individual residents and their talents, abilities, and income, local and home-based businesses, and local neighborhood organizations (including citizen, business, financial, cultural and religious).

Secondary Building Blocks are those assets located within the community but controlled from elsewhere. They include: private and non-profit organizations like colleges and social service agencies; public institutions like public schools, police and fire departments, libraries and parks.

The third group is Potential Building Blocks, which are assets from outside the area being served that are also controlled by outsiders. These building blocks include state welfare agencies, publicly funded capital improvement projects and public databases (the statistical information about an area, such as percentage of inhabitable vs. uninhabitable buildings).

McKnight and Kretzmann believe that by developing a capacities map, a neighborhood has a chance of taking control of it’s own destiny without being tied to a circle of dependency. They see community-based organizations as falling into two groups: grass-roots community organizers and the more formal community action agency (as in the now-defunct Human Development Corporation). McKnight and Kretzmann declare that these two groups can strive to become “asset developers” in the community by creating capacities maps and utilizing them to create a plan of action to help the community build itself into a self-sustaining area. Finally, they believe the asset developers should seek to interact with other areas of society and the economic activity found there. This in turn would help to de-isolate the area and make it more attractive to further development.

Duhigg, C., & Bradsher, K. (2012, January 21). How the U.S. Lost Out on iPhone Work. New York Times. Retrieved January 28, 2015, from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/business/apple-america-and-a-squeezed-middle-class.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Week 3: News Article - Nici

 

"Skirmish Erupts Between Police Supporters, Protesters During Hearing" 

Riverfront Times, January 25, 2015 

On Wednesday, January 27, 2015 a local Saint Louis meeting was interrupted by Jeff Roorda, the business manager for the police union. The purpose of the meeting was to address a proposal to create a civilian oversight board. This board would objectively review complaints against police. The chaotic debacle lasted around fifteen minutes before alderman Terry Kennedy adjourned the meeting.

This incident portrays the Saint Louis that I have encountered since moving here five months ago perfectly -- broken. Reports of video footage claim that Roorda did indeed strong arm his way through local residents, injuring resident and meeting attendee Cachet Currie. Roorda claims that the public was shoving him and the surrounding police officers. 

The irony is not lost that there was an outburst by a law enforcement official at a meeting purposed at better oversight of law enforcement. I watched some of the available video footage and the only thing I can discern without a doubt is chaos. Although I believe that the oversight board is an excellent addition, I do not think it addresses the fractured communities that are still very much suffering. Do you have suggestions for how communities can repair their relationships with the police assigned to “protect and serve” them?

 

http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2015/01/skirmish_erupts_between_police_supporters_protesters_during_hearing.php

Week 3: Class Reading - Patryce

Chapter 2

The information set forth set in this chapter taught me several historical facts about the creation and evolution of both micro- and macro - level social work practice. While I have learned and read about population growth, industrialization, and urbanization, as a social work student it never occurred to me how these issues impacted and/or created the need for human services. For example, I hadn’t considered that the historical oppression of certain populations predated the existence of social work. It is also interesting to note that although the members of the Charity Organization Societies were involved in micro-level social work practice, they agreed with the members who operated settlement houses (macro-level social work) on the importance of assessing neighborhoods and the need for trained staff. Thus, the beginning of schools of social work.

Because the Great Depression resulted in more widespread poverty across the nation, individuals and organizations that held more of a Social Darwinism view were forced to reconsider their line of thinking and beliefs. One of the questions I wish to pose (it’s really just “food for thought”) is why still today there are those who believe that the plight of poor people is their own fault? The existence of Social Darwinism in spite of historical evidence that speaks to the contrary…..Looking at more recent history; is it not true that the 2008 recession moved thousands of workers into much lower tax brackets than the ones they previously held?  Who do the Social Darwinists blame for that? I have not researched the issue. I only know what I’ve seen and read in news reports on the situation. So I may be speaking out of turn.

As a future social worker who plans to pursue micro-level practice, I can still appreciate our forerunners who recognized the needs of communities and entire neighborhoods. After all, part of my training includes treating the “person in environment”.

On the matter of welfare reform and why there are those who use statistics to profess that welfare reform has succeeded in moving families and individuals off of welfare: IT DOES NOT NEGATE THE FACT THAT THE MAJORITY OF FORMER WELFARE RECIPIENTS ARE SIMPLY THE WORKING POOR!! It does not take rocket science to see that welfare reform HAS NOT resulted in fewer poor families. And I honestly do not have a clue as to where to begin in order to change this. It seems obvious that forcing individuals into low-paying jobs is not the answer.           

On that note, another question (or scenario) I’d like to pose: is there any feasibility in the government requiring individuals that receive benefits to attend college and /or trade school (college isn’t for everybody) for which the state/federal government would pay for or help pay for? At least then these individuals would join the workforce at salaries that would enable them to support their families.

Chapter 2 has a lot more valuable information that I can put to use in my education

Week 3: News Article - Amanda

“Women's group digs into Missouri data to advocate for pay and child care”

St. Louis Post Dispatch, January 29, 2015

http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/women-s-group-digs-into-missouri-data-to-advocate-for/article_1934ea2b-a536-56fe-8763-73e3ceedf669.html

As social workers, despite the level of practice, our goal is to work towards social justice through advocating and empowerment of others.  In the attached article the act of advocating for others is highlighted and reflects on how movement towards big change starts with the one idea and action taken to follow through.

A local women’s group, The Women’s Foundation of Greater Kansas City, works with statistics relating to the status of Missouri women with a goal to gain a better understanding of women in the state including health, education, income, child care, public service, and poverty.  The data collected was utilized to educate legislators and leaders in regards to women’s needs and to the short falls of our current state policies.  The article highlights the specific shortfall to single mothers in regards to differentiation in income and child care.  The next step for the group is to create a policy agenda as well as taking the data collected out into the communities to talk with leaders within those communities to cater specific change based on their specific needs.  All in all, the goal to better the lives of women.  

In our text, it is stated as social workers, at the micro level, we have a responsibility to initiate change with in the macro level.  What is your take on this and what steps can we take as social workers within the micro level to advocate for change at the macro level?