I ran across this essay and thought it might be of interest to Enough readers. Calvin discusses the ethical dilemmas of being a social service provider to poor and homeless people and the pressure to set up professional boundaries and not share money with clients. It makes me think about the critiques of the professionalism of non-profitization and the complexities of how we navigate that in the day-to-day as service providers and non-profit workers. One of my favorite things about not working at SRLP as a staffperson any more is that I can give money to SRLP clients when specific needs arise that I learn about through the staff, like when people get locked up. When I was on staff there and was in the role of being someone’s lawyer, it felt more complicated because I felt it was important not to have clients feel indebted to me in any way so that they could demand zealous advocacy from me in whatever way made they needed to. In prior, shorter-term jobs where I was doing legal services I had given clients money, prioritizing certain needs they had over this boundary problem because I knew I wouldn’t be their lawyer for long, and also because I was usually not their primary advocate but was instead working under a more senior attorney. Anyway, Calvin’s essay exposes the absurdity of trying to have an ethical professional relationship under conditions of economic violence that are anything but ethical. Thought it might ring with some of you.
2 Replies to “On giving money to social services “clients””
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I just found your website and I think I read every article and every post. Thank you guys for your thoughtfulness. It came to me at a perfect time and has really made me think.
I do give to clients. Most of the time I pass it off as donations from the office and not as something I have purchased because I saw they needed it. Although sometimes I buy them small things when I am out just because I know they don’t have the money to treat themselves. I think about the “boundary issue” but they are expected to tell me the most personal things about their lives and I am suppose to help them raise there kids(no safe space)- and yet I can’t buy them diapers or formula when their babies are hungry or in need? I just can’t do it.
I am mildly afraid I will get into trouble from my boss if she found out how often I do it. But I have more of a concern that the person who takes over my position in the future will struggle or have a harder time because someone working for my salary wouldn’t have the means to buy things for the clients. I feel conflicted about that. I am only able to do it because I have inherited money. I do not feel the clients will suffer because they were getting by before I came into their lives and they will be getting by after I leave- but I do hope I am taking some small piece of the struggle off for a bit.
Somewhere on this website I read something to the effect that when you avoid a person in need asking for money you lose a piece of your humanity. That hit me like a ton of bricks. I took out 25.00 in ones from the bank to keep in my car and have been giving them out. I can then look the person in the eye, smile and say good luck to them. Its really made my life feel a little lighter. Its more the feeling that I see them and acknowledge them as a fellow human being than the dollar ofcourse.
Waiting to hear more from you both. Thanks again.
i thought this might be applicable.