RESPOND TO CLASSMATE 1:
Explain how 1 or more aspects of the history of social work relate to the social work population with whom you want to work.
In the reading, it states, “Social service agencies were unprepared to address the mounting needs of not only the indigent but also members of the working-class (Cox, L. E., Tice, C. J., & Long, D. D. (2019) pg. 30).” This was happening during the Great Depression and many people were struggling to make ends meet as it was an economic disaster. This reminds me a lot of the Covid pandemic as some people lost jobs or were unable to work due to being sick and quarantining. The government helped us out by sending us relief checks. The people that benefited the most from that were people with childcare assistance, or food assistance as they received more during the pandemic. I think it did help many families out as they were already struggling before the pandemic let alone possibly losing a job or off work for longer periods to quarantine. That would ensure children and families to have the necessities on the table. During times like the ones mentioned, social workers are learning about different resources that are coming out to better help these families.
• Explain how the mission of social work aligns with your goals for your social work career.
The mission of social work aligns with my goals to become a social worker is to help people better their everyday lives. I want people to know their potential, to feel empowered, and to make their goals come true. I have always had the tendency to help people from an early age, and I want to continue to do that as a career. I have heard people say before that if you really love your job, it will not feel like you have one. That is my ultimate goal.
Cox, L. E., Tice, C. J., & Long, D. D. (2019). Introduction to social work: An advocacy-based profession (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.
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RESPOND TO CLASSMATE 2:
Explain how 1 or more aspects of the history of social work relate to the social work population with whom you want to work.
The mission of Social Work relates to the population that I want to work with in that it is my personal goal to work with Veterans who suffer from mental health issues that include trauma and substance abuse. The Department of Veterans Affairs has reported that more than two of ten Veterans diagnosed with PTSD also suffer from substance abuse, while one out of three are seeking treatment for both at the same time ( va.gov). My personal goal is to be able to meet with individuals in their mental health stage without causing additional triggers or stressors, which would cause them to want to use or go backwards instead of improving. I would meet them with empathy, understanding, an open heart, listening ear, and give them the understanding to let them know their needs can and will be met and they are safe and their mental health is very important.
• Explain how the mission of social work aligns with your goals for your social work career.The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. A historic and defining feature of social work is the profession’s focus on individual well-being in a social context and the well-being of society. Fundamental to social work is attention to the environmental forces that create, contribute to, and address problems in living.” With that being said this aligns well with my goals for becoming a social worker, I plan to stay employed with the Department of Veterans Affairs and stay in the Behavioral Health Department. As a Veteran, I don’t feel any Veteran should be without any resources or without the proper help when the VA has the proper resources, so as a social worker, not only will I make sure these Veterans are getting the mental help they need, I will make sure they are receiving all the help they need. I will advocate in any area possible for them. I will be there advocate from the beginning, middle, through the end of therapy for them.
