What's the End Goal?

Today I had a discussion with my supervisor about ethics and social justice. We have heard talk about how we should "work ourselves out of a job" as social workers, and wonder if we really take that seriously as professionals. For instance, homelessness is a huge issue that is yet to be resolved. Are we truly trying to help consumers get out of that situation, or are we using a blanket solution approach?
Looking at the various funding and qualifying stipulations agencies I have to work with, it seems that a great deal of power for these human service needs is in the hands of legislators. An issue with this is that there are varying opinions and definitions of what social justice is. Different political parties will have opposing views of what policy should look like as well. In advocating for our issues, are we being effective? Are we listening to what others are saying? REALLY listening?
It is also interesting to consider how consumers' personal motivation, sense of responsibility, etc. plays a part in how effective our service to them is. Even if the perfect solution to homelessness (or whatever else the issue may be) is found and implemented, the end result is largely dependent on their attitude and actions.

I need empathy too!

I love working with people. I really do. But sometimes it's just too much. As the saying goes; when it rains, it pours. This weekend I found that I was up to my ears in listening to the problems of those around me and didn't know where to turn to get some empathy for my own stresses. Where's the social worker for the social workers?
My internship is great at doing empathy with consumers. They also stress the importance of us processing with one another so that we don't hold on to frustrating/straining situations. The hard thing is what to do when we need to process personal life stresses. Especially when you seem to be the one that your friends turn to when they need a listening ear! Hopefully it's a two-way street with at least one of those friends... and how much of your personal life is professionally appropriate to share with co-workers/supervisors?

Youth and Values

Lately I have been impacted by encounters I've had working with women facing homelessness/eviction. It breaks my heart to see girls 18-21 with at least one child and not enough support to live successfully. I am so glad to see that those women know that they can seek assistance for housing from my agency, but sometimes it is very hard for me to relate to them and their situations. There are times I wonder what their family situations were as they were growing up that influenced the decisions they made. What do they value? What did their family value?
It really hit me hard this week when I was working with a girl whose situation doesn't fit our funding requirements. I had to tell her that we couldn't help her and tried to brainstorm other options with her. I think I made her cry. Why is it like this?