Social Work principles support all social functioning

A core tenet of philanthropy is the existence of individuals who cannot meet their own needs, require help, but will eventually be more self sufficient. Social work concerns itself with the capacities of government, community, family, and individuals to supply that assistance while reinforcing self-empowerment. It is our common experience that clients are often in financial need and that financial interventions can build both community and trust. This site explores social workers, past, present and future using financial interventions in their work with the poor. continue

Social workers have instilled in themselves the basic tenets of ethical behavior in the course of their training and professional lives. The premise is that the core virtues of obeying the rules, hard work, monitoring law breakers, and team work will translate into modeled behaviors for our clients over time. While true, clients and their clinicians are frequently frustrated by the lack of needed resources. We as social workers have assumed the mandate to become socially involved with our client.

The social context of our work is unique among the professions. We are catalysts of change. We maintain awareness of the social dynamic between our clients, ourselves and the larger community; always aware of the systems involved - we see the ebb and flow of poverty alleviation programs and opinions at all levels of policy making. Social workers are keen observers of resources that can aid our clients and how these resources come and go.

Present day circumstances demand that social workers have more control over the financial interventions their clients need. This site offers examples of financial interventions resulting in consistent and positive outcomes for clients.

Read the articles on poverty for some of the developmental and chronic effects of poverty on our vulnerable clients. For an introduction to this new paradigm of financial intervention see the workshop on poverty,