with disabilities. It is also a model for reinvigorating the "social"
in social work.
Coffeeshops like Bill's were a part of many early centers of social work, including Hull House in Chicago. Jane Addams, a founding mother
of social work, called for an integrated social work practice which
was committed to strengthening neighborhoods as well as strengthening
individuals.
This model of social work was a "holistic rather than specialization
approach, advocating for social reform while giving services," writes
Rolland F. Smith in an essay for the Encyclopedia of Social Work. This
approach has "an orientation to family and neighborhood strengths
rather than to individual pathologies."
Addams' idea of social work was a radical notion when she first proposed it in the late 19th century. It's at least as radical today in a society which is based in many ways on an exaggerated notion of
individualism. Modern society has been built around segmenting the lives of people in many different ways.
First, there is the separation between work and home. This is compounded by the increasing distances between on and the other.
Second, there is the separation at work itself. Many jobs have become very specialized. From construction to social work, from education to manufacturing, jobs have been moving away from general skills and towards specialist skills.
Finally, there is the growing separation of neighborhoods by income. The growth of the suburbs (and urban renewal in the cities) has fueled this phenomenon, resulting in economic isolation for so many families and individuals.
Bill's Coffeeshop (and its cousin Uptown Bill's) are antidotes to this separation. These two coffee shops, and others like them, are working to restore the "social." They not only offer an alternative to the
separation in our communities, they also offer an alternative model for social work.
Coffeeshops offer three distinct advantages to traditional settings for social work:
1. A less formal setting than regular social work agencies
2. An environment with the potential of being shaped by the "client"
as well as the social worker.
3. An experience of community at the same time individual needs are getting attention.
Coffeeshops fit with the idea of "a reconstructed social work"
outlined by Harry Wasserman and Holly Danforth in their book, "The
human bond: Support groups and mutual aid." This kind of social work
"envisions a theory and practice in which the individual, family,
small group and community constitute an interdependent quartet. This
requires...an internally consistent set of concepts and...a web of
human connections."
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5 comments:
The idea of a social setting that will put people at ease is great! To listen and then come together with solutions not only for individuals but for the community. Coffee is enjoyed by all people and a social setting to visit and problem solve is something that works and it does not stress people out because the setting is casual and not threatening.
B Kirk
Coffeeshops can be a good place to use as a office, I think it will help the client feel more at ease then in turn they might open up more with whatever their problem is that they are having at the moment.I like that Bill's Coffeehouse has been able to help people that have disabilities, by giving them a job or so that they can social with other people. I know that some people don't even socialize with other people because of fear. I have a sister that is in a wheelchair she likes to go to the Banquet in the evening not necarily to eat but just to be around other people otherwise she is at home. She really enjoys it. It might not be a coffeeshop but she likes to be around other people,which she needs.
Coffee shops are comfortable and pleases the senses. Coffee is also universal and relaxing. Great social settings for social events. TT
I think that a coffeeshop would be good to relax. People would feel at ease unlike an office location!
~Kristi S.~
Coffeshops are great so that people can meet with individuals about their community and many other stuff. People love coffee when they visit and it helps them to talk about anything. Coffeeshops can also be used as an office and I'm sure it will help out a lot of people....even people with disabilities.
J. Cavanaugh
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