Diversity Interview Assignment

For this paper I chose to interview Gio Rodriguez. He is different from me because he is of Latino decent, was born in Mexico, and is a first generation college student. I also chose Gio because I have gotten to know him over the months of being here so far, and consider him a pretty good friend.

Social work is based on respect for the inherent worth and dignity of all people as expressed in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights(1948) It is therefore of paramount importance that a social work professional should work towards promoting the best interests of individuals and groups in society. I very much recognize the contribution that social work brings to inclusion having worked alongside social workers during the course of my shadowing placement. I possess a real commitment to promote equality which I have had the pleasure of doing in a multitude of different roles. From academic journals as well as my lecture notes I now appreciate the central importance of using the fundamental principles of human rights and equality to underpin my practice, and the inherent need to promote justice in relation with the people I will work.

The National Association of Social Work (NASW) has identified a set of values that all social workers must consider during the course of their work (NASW, 2008). Social work values are broadly covered when you define social work as being a profession of aiding those in need and addressing oppression. Helping those in need directly relates to the value of supporting the needs of others. The definition also addresses the importance of bringing awareness to oppression. This relates to the values of addressing injustice, individuality and promoting harmony. On a broader perspective, all social workers are encouraged to continually pursue knowledge in their area and maintain ethical practices. Values have the purpose of ensuring that helpers always strive for what is best for the client. Manning (1997) points out that “the power to intervene in people’s lives carries

This piece of writing is going to demonstrate an understanding of diversity, difference and also discuss the implications for social work practice. It will include an understanding of theories and concepts in relation to diversity where it will address the needs of diverse communities, individuals and groups, exploring differences in relation to culture, ethnicity, gender, age, sexuality, social class and economic wellbeing. It will also demonstrate an understanding of principle of working in an anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory way.

To become a Social Worker who practices the tolerance, humbleness, patience, empathy, compassion, aplomb, commitment, dedication, persistence, flexibleness and, of course, some sense of humor are for me indispensable to develop this career every day. Although others attitudes as to be an idealist, passionate, have a high sense of justice, integrity or honor are valuables, however if we don’t manage them properly could lead us to a bad practice of our job. Otherwise are the prejudices. I won’t say I don't have them, after all I do. Is just I'm aware of them so I can be more objective in my opinions. It’s difficult to accept those events, realities or ideas that we don't share, or don't understand because we’re not able to conceive them as possible. There is when the combination of pragmatic studies and individual experience are essential to achieving an effective influence in our

Social work professions need to understand the importance of how individuals interact both with other people and their environment, to have an understanding how individuals are affected by these interactions (Rogers, p. 2). According to Rogers (2016), “Social workers are knowledgeable about human behavior across the life course; the range of social systems in which people live; and the ways social systems promote or deter people in maintaining or achieving health and well-being. Social workers apply theories and knowledge from the liberal arts to understand biological, social, cultural, psychological, and spiritual development (p. 2). Their work with clients begins with assessments to evaluations of intervention and is based in and supports of the core value system of the profession.

The client I chose for this diversity interview is 13 year old Willie Hazzard. Willie is the youngest son of Diane Hazzard. Willie is clearly effected by the many generations of poverty, his mother’s addiction, the neglect due to his mother’s addiction, and his exposure to the foster care system. Willie appears to lack trust, he is hostile, and he seems to be a little too familiar with living on the streets. His lack of trust can be attributed to his mother’s lack of parenting when he was little which caused him to be removed from the only home he had ever known and thrust into the child welfare system. He bounced around to a few different homes and was returned to his mother 6.5 years later so he was never able to plant

The first artifact I have attached for Standard Four: Diversity is a diversity project completed during the spring of 2015 for ED444 Methods and Materials for Teaching Social Studies and ED447 Instructional Technology. This project consists of different resources to use when teaching Kindergarten Social Studies Standard Three. This standard requires students to describe how rules offer safety at home, school, and in the community. This diversity project demonstrates activities that aid in individual experiences.

Latina Style Top 50 Conference is an America’s diversity initiatives and commitment to advancing the careers of professional Hispanic women and to promote diversity and providing career advancement opportunities. With the eagerness of Anna Maria Arias, Founder of LATINA StyleMagazine, she began to explore deeper into the business world and bring forth powerful and useful information on the increasing importance of recruiting professional Latinas. They provide a valuable reference tool for Latinas entering the workforce or changing careers.

In the National Association for Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, there are many standards a social worker should uphold in order to promote a healthy and helpful relationship with the client. One such aptitude is Cultural Competence and Social Diversity, which is in section 1.05 of the NASW code of ethics (National Association of Social Workers, 2008). There are three sections associated with this competency “Social workers should understand culture and its function in human behavior and society, recognizing the strengths in all cultures”. It is assumed that “social workers should have a knowledge base of their clients’ cultures and be able to demonstrate competence in the provision of services that are sensitive to clients”. As a

In order to deliver effective services it is necessary that professionals are able to work with culturally diverse populations successfully. Social workers must commit themselves to the profession’s enhancement and to their own professional growth in career long learning (National Association of Social Workers, 2010).

The purpose of this paper is to reflect upon the diverse experiences that I have had in my personal and professional life. Fortunately, I have had a large mix of diverse friends and experiences in my life. This paper will discuss those diversities as well as the plan to expand on my current knowledge.

Social Work is a discipline that can be a very rewarding experience for both the worker and the client. The practice involves working with individuals, families, or groups who are struggling to cope with life`s challenges. The social worker must combine his or her personal qualities, creative abilities, and social concerns with the professional knowledge in order to help client’s social functioning or prevent social problems from developing (Bradford W. Sheafor, 2008, p. 34). Social work practice seeks to promote human well-being, while addressing the processes by which individuals and groups are marginalized or diminished in their capacity to participate as citizens (Ian O'Connor, 2006, p. 1).

Social workers promote social justice and social change with and on behalf of clients. “Clients” is used inclusively to refer to individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers are sensitive to cultural and ethnic diversity and strive to end discrimination, oppression, poverty, and other forms of social injustice. These activities may be in the form of direct practice, community organizing, supervision, consultation administration, advocacy, social and political action, policy development and application, education, research and evaluation. Social workers seek to enhance the capacity of people to address their own needs. They also seek to promote the

Social Work’s core philosophy and values are centered around social justice and social well-being. Oppression, injustice, discrimination, and violence are antithetical to the social work profession. Social Work believes in strength-based approaches and the person-in-environment perspective to cater the needs and welfare of individuals, families, groups, communities, and society at large. Generally, the target populations for social work are vulnerable, marginalized, and oppressed people; however, social workers provide services to people with a wide range of problems, such as poverty, addiction, mental illness, etc. to empower them to meet their own needs. Historically, the social work profession started its operation by providing neighborhood