Bridging the Divide Between Community Organizing Efforts and Direct Services in Traditional Social Service Agencies: Lessons Learned from a Case Study

ABSTRACT

Social service agencies focus on direct services to individuals and families, which restricts their ability to support community organizing campaigns. Community organizing models have not historically focused on social service agencies. Using a case example of the living wage movement, this research asks Why are social welfare agencies not consistently named as supporters of activist efforts? What involvement do social service agencies have in community organizing efforts? What factors encourage or inhibit this involvement? Results indicate that although involvement is limited, it occurs in ways that might be formalized using additional strategies of intervention.

KEYWORDS:

• Community organization
• direct services
• living wage movement