Advocacy in Social Work: Championing Support for Homeless Teens at Risk for Contracting HIV/AIDS
There are many groups in our society who need the championing efforts of dedicated social workers to assist them with meeting their needs, reaching their goals and manifesting their highest possible potential. Few are so radically marginalized as homeless youth. This population is considered to be highly vulnerable because they lack so much more than their mature counterparts. In order for social workers to be effective in their efforts to properly assist homeless teenagers at risk for becoming HIV positive, a solid understanding of a variety of advocacy techniques should be well understood and practiced. Advocacy at the macro level, reaching …show more content…
The core values of service and social justice, with attention to the dignity and worth of a person (NSAW, 2015) are at the root of my attitudes towards my work in advocacy for the betterment of the quality of life of homeless teenagers at risk. Increasing the motivation to reach out for help is one of the main challenges this population experiences. According to Collins and Slesnick (2011), “the unique life experiences of homeless youths, such as frequent victimization and struggles to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing, likely influence their motivation to change substance use and HIV risk behaviors”. It may be that reducing risk for becoming infected with HIV and/or becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol become less of a priority in light of their many other afflictions. It stands to reason that homeless teenagers are constantly dealing with fatigue, hunger, violence, isolation, discrimination, depression, anxiety and many other seemingly more important issues that require immediate attention. Therefore, their desire to reach out to educate themselves on the risks of becoming infected with HIV may be at or near the bottom of their daily …show more content…
Studies constantly show that treatment programs that reduce harms and risks associated with homelessness are either unacceptable or unavailable to youth. Adequate care is simply not ubiquitously available and effective intervention models are desperately needed. “Although homeless youth face incredible stressors and engage in numerous risky behaviors, understanding the nature of relationships between substance use and consequences can provide specific information for minimizing harm” (Rhule-Louie, Bowen, Baer & Peterson, 2007). Advocacy efforts must continue to grow in order for us to make a positive difference, as effective agents of change, in the profession of social work. Our youth, at risk of becoming infected with HIV and suffering the myriad consequences of homelessness and addiction, are in urgent need of our solidarity and unification of
There are many groups in our society who need the championing efforts of dedicated social workers to assist them with meeting their needs, reaching their goals and manifesting their highest possible potential. Few are so radically marginalized as homeless youth. This population is considered to be highly vulnerable because they lack so much more than their mature counterparts. In order for social workers to be effective in their efforts to properly assist homeless teenagers at risk for becoming HIV positive, a solid understanding of a variety of advocacy techniques should be well understood and practiced. Advocacy at the macro level, reaching …show more content…
The core values of service and social justice, with attention to the dignity and worth of a person (NSAW, 2015) are at the root of my attitudes towards my work in advocacy for the betterment of the quality of life of homeless teenagers at risk. Increasing the motivation to reach out for help is one of the main challenges this population experiences. According to Collins and Slesnick (2011), “the unique life experiences of homeless youths, such as frequent victimization and struggles to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing, likely influence their motivation to change substance use and HIV risk behaviors”. It may be that reducing risk for becoming infected with HIV and/or becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol become less of a priority in light of their many other afflictions. It stands to reason that homeless teenagers are constantly dealing with fatigue, hunger, violence, isolation, discrimination, depression, anxiety and many other seemingly more important issues that require immediate attention. Therefore, their desire to reach out to educate themselves on the risks of becoming infected with HIV may be at or near the bottom of their daily …show more content…
Studies constantly show that treatment programs that reduce harms and risks associated with homelessness are either unacceptable or unavailable to youth. Adequate care is simply not ubiquitously available and effective intervention models are desperately needed. “Although homeless youth face incredible stressors and engage in numerous risky behaviors, understanding the nature of relationships between substance use and consequences can provide specific information for minimizing harm” (Rhule-Louie, Bowen, Baer & Peterson, 2007). Advocacy efforts must continue to grow in order for us to make a positive difference, as effective agents of change, in the profession of social work. Our youth, at risk of becoming infected with HIV and suffering the myriad consequences of homelessness and addiction, are in urgent need of our solidarity and unification of