Values and Underlying Beliefs
Human services organizations have values and/or underlying beliefs that help stakeholders (e.g., patrons, management, staff, and clients, etc.) understand what the organization represents. These values and/or underlying beliefs are typically reflected in the organization’s mission. Consider The Salvation Army’s mission statement:
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination (The Salvation Army, n.d.)
An organization’s values and/or underlying beliefs shape the services provided. For instance, the Salvation Army’s dedication to God is the primary value or underlying belief that shapes the organization and its services. The Salvation Army offers programs that discourage the use of pornography, rehabilitate adults addicted to drugs and alcohol, and fight human trafficking.
To prepare for this Discussion, select a human services organization in which values and/or underlying beliefs have shaped its mission and services.
With these thoughts in mind:
The Assignment: Write on 2 Organizations (One of your choice and the other on Ministry with Community at http://www.ministrywithcommunity.org/) : Write a description of the value(s) or underlying belief(s) that have shaped the human services organization of your choice and the Ministry with Community. Explain how the value(s) or underlying belief(s) for each organization have impacted the organization’s mission and services provided to clients. Be specific and provide examples.
Support your Discussion assignment with specific references to all resources used in its preparation. You are asked to provide a reference list for all resources, including those in the Learning Resources for this course.
Note: I have attached information on the Ministry with Community below, and you can also locate it at: http://www.ministrywithcommunity.org/
Notes on Ministry with Community (http://www.ministrywithcommunity.org)
ROB OAKLEAF:
I remember it was within the first few months that I worked here and I was out back by the dumpsters in the back of the building and there’s a woman who we still serve to this day. She came out in back of the building and she looked around and she asked me whether I had seen a piece of rolling luggage. And I had seen it, the last couple of days it had been sitting there and I had been curious about it. And on this occasion, it wasn’t there and she looked at me. She wasn’t sad, she just looked right at me and she said, “Well, I guess I’m back to nothing again,” and walked back into the building. And at one time, of course it broke my heart but it afforded me some insight into how far a person can go when losing all of their belongings. It’s just something that happens. And that really stoked the fire in me to continue to work with people to make sure that people like that woman have a home and have a safe place for all their belongings.
