Week 5: News Aritcle - Jenn

Protestors leave coffin, demands on Mayor Slay's doorstep

http://www.stlamerican.com/news/local_news/article_45430582-b072-11e4-b740-2fb9f87f6e70.html

February 9th marked the six-month anniversary of Michael Brown's death.  Protestors called the day Mourning Monday. At about 6:00 am, protestors gathered to begin a march to Mayor Slay's home.  Protestors have pledged to march to the homes of various city officials every Monday morning until their demands are heard.

A friend of mine told me that this protest was happening – but they did not know where the march would be ending.  I considered attending, but ultimately couldn’t make the timing work…after finding out that the march concluded at Mayor Slay’s home, I was glad I could not attend.

I have been an active part of many protests, community meetings, and community events since Michael Brown’s death.  I even begun to consider myself an activist (a term that I never thought could be used to describe me).  It wasn’t until the beginning of this semester that I really started to think about the implications of being an activist.  Can I be an advocate for Ferguson (or any other community) if I am known as an activist? That’s question I have not yet been able to answer for myself.  I’m hoping as the semester progresses I’ll have a better idea.

I think the question of advocate or activist becomes particularly important with actions such as Mourning Monday.  As someone who desires to be an advocate for vulnerable populations and communities, I’m not sure being part of a group that shows up at Mayor Slay’s home is a wise decision.  I envision having to speak to political figures while working for my clients – I need to think about how they will view my actions as a protestor and activist. 

One of my friends recently said “Advocates wear pumps to the statehouse to witness, write policy, and talk to legislators.  Activists wear converse and stand in the statehouse with signs and chants.  Both are incredibly necessary. They are different instruments working toward the same goal. And many times the pumps and the converse overlap on the same people.”  Her statement got me thinking…can I be a person who wears converse sneakers and carries signs while also being someone who wears pumps and talks to legislators? 

Is this something that any of you have thought about? I’d love to hear your opinions!

Week 5: News Article - Hayley

Alternative Spring Break Aims to Connect Students to Healing Efforts in Ferguson
http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2015/02/alternative_spring_break_aims_to_connect_students_to_healing_efforts_in_ferguson.php

The following article from the Riverfront Times provides information regarding a volunteer opportunity in Ferguson for college students during their spring break.  Many students, unless they have taken time off coursework have been unable to join protests and efforts in Ferguson.  To provide students with that opportunity, while they have time off of school, activists have created the "alternative spring break" opportunity to provide students from all over the country with that opportunity.  The "alternative spring break" plans to bring 50 to 100 students each week for three weeks to provide aid in rebuilding and healing in Ferguson.

Charles Wade, of Operation Help or Hush, has helped in arranging the program and spoke of some of the specific intentions behind it.  He implies that the program is meant to promote effective volunteerism, extend a helping hand, provide tools for advocacy, provide voter education and registration, and ultimately to focus on aiding the Ferguson community.  The program is not necessarily meant to teach students how to protest, but to help students understand the issues protestors have faced and how to effectively mediate them as legal observers. 

I think the idea is a great initiative.  The program offers opportunities to students who want more out of their spring break and are interested in community change.  This seems like a productive way to not only aid rebuilding efforts in Ferguson, but also to provide an effective, community-based learning experience for students across the country.

At this point, it is questionable whether the people of Ferguson really want this outside help, but the idea behind the program is meaningful in regards to community change.   The civic aspect of the program seems fantastic, I just hope that it is done the right way and both the college students and the Ferguson residents can find fulfillment from the experience. 

What are your thoughts?  Do you think this initiative can be fulfilling for both the college students AND the people of Ferguson?  Or is this just going to further exhaust Ferguson residents  with outside efforts?

Week 5: Class Reading - Karla

CH. 4: Understanding Populations

The main concepts from chapter four discuss how to select and study a population. There are five tasks to analyze a population as efficiently and effectively as possible. The five tasks are to: Develop Cultural Humility, Seek Diverse Perspectives, Search the Professional Knowledge Base on the Target Population, Select Factors that Help in Understanding the Target Population, and Develop a Working Hypothesis of Etiology About the Problem.

A brief summary of these concepts from this chapter add to chapter three about using qualitative and quantitative data to help address issues and problems in communities, chapter four adds layers and dimensions to data collection. Chapter four expresses the need to understand a community and its diverse population as well as its diverse needs. The first task is to Develop Cultural Humility. A social worker has to realize that their life experience can be, and many times will be different than their client’s experiences. The social worker has to have cultural competence to be effective in their treatment and to be sensitive to differences in other cultures.

The second task is Seek Diverse Perspectives. A social worker needs listen to members of the community, and be inclusive of all its members. If a social worker is creating a solution for a community it should be done with the community members and not to the community. Social workers must also be aware of the frameworks, or how a minority self-identifies and how they interact with the majority culture. Additionally, a social worker should consult with allies and advocacy groups of the target populations to gain more information. An example would be working with a LGBT alliance to get a better understanding of the LGBT community.

The next task is Search the Professional Knowledge Base on the Target Population. This task discusses the use of professional and academic resources to gain more knowledge of the target population in a community. It also explains what issues should be explored. Some issues that should be explored are growth and development, diversity considerations, and external factors that affect the community. Some examples of these concepts can include a person having trouble developing into adulthood, having troubles with embodying roles society puts on them, or being discriminated or oppressed.

The fourth task is Selecting Factors that Help in Understanding the Target Population. Using the previous tasks, patterns should start emerging. Being able to find patterns we can start looking into the cause and effect of possible problem areas that a community may have, leading into the final task.

The final task is Develop a Working Hypothesis of Etiology About the Problem. The social worker should look into the cause and effect (etiology), then form a hypothesis using the information found in the population analysis and problem analysis. A social worker can then use this data and information to direct possible interventions.

Using these tasks as basic guidelines, we as social workers can be better prepared to work with diverse communities. We need to be immersed in these diverse communities to better understand the needs and wants of a community, while gathering data, in order to give them our best and unbiased help.

Week 4: Class Reading - Nici

CH. 3: Understanding Community and Organizational Problems

Keeping account of quality data is essential for any human service organization that wants to ensure longevity and success. As the government lessens the priority of assisting the disadvantaged, funding becomes more scarce and the burden to aid the oppressed and in need falls to the private sector. Funders as well members of the public are increasingly demanding evidence that organizations are accountable and that their services are producing the desired results. Data offers donors security in knowing that their money is being utilized effectively.

The Chapter highlights three essential categories to consider when undertaking a macro-level project (problem/need/opportunity, population, and arena). These three categories include defining the problem and those affected by it, identifying the population and various perspectives, and compiling data that increases your professional knowledge base and understanding of the need and potential change agents.

Current systems and processes of evaluation and research in the field of social work lack the methodological rigor of other professional fields. Chapter 3 stresses the importance of utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data when addressing conditions and problems. These two methods compliment one another and provide a more complete ‘at a glance’ view of the is issue.

Undertaking the task of gathering data from numerous sources can seem extremely overwhelming. It is rare that current data and research are found compiled in a ready for use format. Often times one must seek information from numerous resources on national, regional, and global levels. This is time consuming and some critics state that it fails to recognize the need within the appropriate moment. In an ideal scenario, comparative data will be gathered in a timely manner from various reliable sources such as those that are government based. Interpretation of data is nearly as essential as the collection. Transforming numbers and facts into relevant, understandable reports guide’s readers to understand why the problem exists and what has enabled it to persist over time. As greater understanding is achieved, a systematic intervention can be developed that addresses most if not all of the root causes of the issue at hand.

Week 4: News Article - Trisha

"United Way Looking to Assist Displaced Employees Affected by Ferguson, Dellwood Unrest"

St. Louis Public Radio, February 4, 2014

http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/united-way-looking-assist-displaced-employees-affected-ferguson-dellwood-unrest

The United Way would like to provide basic assistance for employees who lost their job or had their hours decreased due to the events that followed the shooting death of Michael Brown. The funding is coming from the $1 million contract the United Way of Greater St. Louis received from St. Louis County after numerous businesses were destroyed from looting, rioting, and fires.

The group is hoping the assistance will help those employees by providing funding for basic needs, such as rent and utilities, to avoid eviction or homelessness.

Despite the available funding, the United Way told St. Louis Public Radio they were having a difficult time locating qualified individuals.

The United Way has put out a public call, casting a wider net. They are attempting to work with businesses to identify former residents who have been scattered throughout the area by the loss of employment. They are holding a Career Center Day to connect unemployed residents with career counselors to identify job openings in the community.

Reading this article, I was reminded of last week's class reading "Mapping Community Capacity" by McKnight & Kretzmann. The United Way's efforts to assist the unemployed in the Ferguson community acknowledges the asset they are to their community. By giving that financial assistance, they are working to keep people in their homes and in their community. By helping employees and businesses, they are helping to reinforce the "capacities" within that community.

Do you have suggestions or strategies as to how to make sure available financial assistance reaches those in need? How have you seen, whether in Ferguson or other communities, financial assistance help? And where have you seen it be less helpful/less productive/harmful?

Week 4: Class Reading - Arriana

“Old North St. Louis”
http://www.risestl.org/results/success-stories-case-studies/old-north-st-louis/

This article discusses Old North’s efforts to rebuild their community. With the help of RISE, Old North had the opportunity to invest and revitalize areas within their community. Adding single family homes at market value Old North’s goal was to attract middle-income residents that would in-turn fill vacant lots near historic buildings, enhance economic diversity, income property value to finance redevelopment efforts, and integrate the neighborhood.The Launch of the redevelopment project gave both parties the opportunity to share and gain knowledge as well as bring about change within the community. 

The development project lead them to rebuild twenty new homes where vacant plots of land once stood from years of decline and demolition within the community. Out of the twenty homes built eight of those homes became affordable for lower income families which was made possible by the city’s Affordable Housing Commission. (North Market Place Homes development project) To increase revenue and to make these new homes marketable the vacant lots were not only filled but historical buildings such as the National Register Historic District were rehabilitated. (North Market Place Apartments) 

RISE and Old North partnered together to buy property within Old North’s once thriving “14th street Mall”. With plans to build lofts, apartments, and business’s vital to the community and its efforts to gain “critical mass” the redevelopment of “14th Street Mall” in to “Crown Square” was created. In addition to the newly developed center square, efforts to redevelop streets surrounding the area were put in place to strengthen the mall and bring about community integration. 

The three development projects accounted for the rehabilitation of 36 historical buildings, 20 newly built homes, and the creation of 80 residential and commercial sites available with the completion of Crown Square.

Week 4: News Article - Karla

“Advocates vow diversity battle over city bill”

St. Louis American, January 29, 2015

http://www.stlamerican.com/business/local_business/article_145a5ba0-a730-11e4-ae6a-df13478a6faa.html

This article discusses a proposed bill restricting contractors from bidding on contracts if they do not have a Department of Labor approved apprentice program. What this means for the community of Saint Louis City, is that only union contractors would be able to bid on city contracts. One repercussion of this bill may cause minority owned contracting companies to be excluded from bidding on city contracts because the companies are small and privately owned. Also, minority advocacy groups were not given sufficient time to attend the first meetings for the proposal of this bill to voice their concerns. This bill shows the need for social advocacy and how advocacy groups can help protect minorities. This bill, which may look good on paper to some, may be a lot more harmful than the politicians supporting it realize.

I think that the intent of the policy was not to discriminate women and minority owned contracting companies, but to its intent was to enhance and support unionized companies. The unintended consequences were that minority groups would be discriminated against. Pulling lessons from Policy class, I think some of the value standards related to policy that are missing from this bill are Equity, Equality, Inclusion, and Collaboration. The minority groups in St. Louis City are not being fairly considered in the decision making process or within the bill itself. Many social justice advocates in the community feel that there is not an alternative version of this bill that they could approve.

Do you feel this is an issue of diversity or a labor market competition issue?

Do you think there is an alternative version of this bill that could be proposed that minority advocates would approve?

How do you think approval of this bill would affect communities that have high minority demographics?