Breaking Social Boundaries Through Social Work

Social work, charity work, volunteer programs...what's the difference?

If you think social work is as simple as conducting an outreach program, then you are like most people who generally assume that social work is equivalent to a lifetime job of handling donations. Not many knows about its existence and nature, probably because it is a newly established profession and is still developing. Only recently did colleges started to offer courses in social work, making it a professionally recognized field of work. But just so everyone knows, social work is a legitimate job that goes beyond charity work by challenging the current condition of society and addressing these issues.

THE BASICS

Social work is a profession dedicated to serve and protect the well being of the people especially the marginalized, oppressed, and  vulnerable group of individuals. It aims to promote social change, improve social conditions, and solve the different  problems present on our society. By offering accessible welfare services, developing people-friendly policies, and creating a quality environment for everyone, social work slowly address the social, economic and physical needs of their clients.

In this manner, social workers helps fill in the gaps in which society can not readily fix such as poverty and oppression. They create a society in which social equality and justice is present so that all people of different backgrounds can live harmoniously and comfortably.

THE MANY FORMS OF SOCIAL WORK

           

Social work comes in many forms. Counseling, providing education for the community, legislating policies, rehabilitating criminals, and so on are all under social work. It is very diverse and is needed in about any situation as long as it involves helping someone improve the quality of their life.  It can also be seen in almost any job setting, may it be in government offices, hospitals, schools, or even private companies. Social workers can choose from various fields of specializations such as family and child welfare, mental health, school, health, and correctional.

So don't go saying that social work is only done in depressed areas and solely for non government organization and advocacy groups, because social work is present wherever there are individuals who needs attention and should be cared for.

SOCIAL WORK IN ACTION

Here in Marikina, the people have already recognized the importance of social work in developing a safe and livable community. Numerous institutions and organizations in the city have catered to needs and concerns of its citizens. Each focusing on helping a specific marginalized group exercise their basic human rights. St. Camillus Medhaven, St. Maria de Mattias Center and the Marikina Youth Home are just some of the institutions that demonstrate social work in action.

St. Camillus Medhaven, Marikina

St. Camillus Medhaven is a center for the elders in our society. Before, it was only known to be a shelter for abandoned people with disabilities in order to promote the welfare of disabled children towards an effective rehabilitation.  Today, it is also known to be a home for the aged  whose family can no longer sustain the attention they need. They provide home away to home community services through resident-oriented, long-term full-time care; rehabilitative therapies; and adult daycare services for the elderly.

If you want for information about their services, you can visit their website. 

St. Maria de Mattias Center

St. Maria de Mattias center for orphanage shows mercy and 
compassion and values the dignity and human rights of the neglected, oppressed and abandoned girls from depressed communities.They give these girls a chance to be educated in their school in order to be a well-rounded citizens of society. They also provide health care services and spiritual formation for the girls.

Some of the services offered also includes Medical Care, Case Management, Psychological and Psychiatric Service, Value Formation and Character Building, Sports and Recreation, Skills Training.

Visit their website for more information. 

Marikina Youth Homes

Marikina Youth Home is a home for minors, both boys and girls, ages 18 years old and below. These minors face heinous crimes that is subjected to be sent in this facility that provides a comprehensive programs as they are known to be "Children in Conflict with The Law" (CICL). This center also integrates values to children to help them improve for the better as they provide rehab activities such as bible study, team building activities and dynamics.

Moreover, different areas of specialization is provided in different programs like legal where free legal assistance is provided,mental where medical and dental services is given, psychological provides counseling services and educational teaches and trains livelihood skills and abilities.

You can learn more about the center by visiting their website.






Now that you had a glimpse of social work, it is time to ask the most important question of all…

Why become a social worker?

It is true that social workers are usually not the most financially blessed workers. In fact, social workers in the Philippines earns about an average of Php. 184, 832 worth of salary per year, not much considering the economic state of the country. But if it is your passion to interact and work with different types of people in empowering them and alleviate social issues, then social work is for you. The true beauty of social work comes from the emotionally and spiritually fulfilling moments for both the social worker and client. just seeing your clients change for the better and be able to stand on their own is one of the best reward one can receive from dedicating their life at the service of others.