We interviewed employees, residences, and a financial executive and asked them how the economy has effected their lives. The general consensus was that the budget cuts are forcing important programs to be cut therefore making it difficult to maneuver through the system. The residence felt that personnel were being cut that really were helpful to them and that it has been difficult to get a job with their background even if they have a college degree. One lady we talked to was trying to find a job with her BA in message therapy and her license is in jeopardy because she is unemployed. It is a catch twenty two. The economy is also effecting how people spend their money. Even though the main funding for St. Vincent de Paul is through government contracts their is allot of donations from wealthy individuals looking to invest in these types of programs. The financial executive we talked to said that it has been difficult to keep their donated funding because they will take their money somewhere else if they are not satisfied with the organization.
Conflict theory is useful in assessing the issues facing St. Vincent de Paul. The economy is effecting social change through budget cuts and lack of funding. These factors are creating negative social change because people are loosing their jobs, programs are being cut, and it is harder to maneuver through the system. According to Robbins Karl Marx based his theory on the premise that social class differences create conflict because of the perceived inequality of certain social classes of society (Robbins, p.66). Using this framework provides an understanding that there is conflict steaming from the social class differences between the impoverished population and the policy makers resulting in budget cuts that effect funding. Overall it was a great experience and eye opening to the real conflict going on it today's shaky economy.
Your visit to St. Vincent de Paul shed light on the sad realities that important vital programs are being cut. It was also interesting that you noted that the wealthy contributes heavily on social service programs in St. Vincent de Paul, and you hit on the fact that the wealthy can donate to a different agency if they are not satisfied. Good post Lindsey!
ReplyDeleteI think its interesting what you said about the catch-22 about people trying to get a job so they can start making some money, but then not being able to get a job because they do not have a home. I think that is how things are, people want entry-level employees with experience, but there is no way to get a job to gain the experience if no one will hire you! I feel like a lot of our society is like that and people are hesitant to give others a chance, especially in this rough economic time. People want to hire someone who will be the best at the job with a minimal amount of training and who will work for the least about of money. I appreciated how you spoke to people on all levels who all had different things to say about their situations, its interesting to hear that the downturn in the economy really does affect everybody.
ReplyDeleteI think you explained Conflict Theory very well. I could not agree with you more about our current system being a catch 22. How can the government be completely satisfied with the organization when they are cutting people that they really need. I work for a mental health agency that is currently going through the something. It is so sad to see people not being able to get the things that they need because of the government and all of its power over everything beneath it.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your catch 22 statement. A lot of licenses expire if the person does not find work. They do not take into account how difficult it is in this economy to find a job. There needs to be some real changes. I fear that this same thing may happen to those of us who are trying to get their LCSW's.
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