Assignment 1

Personal Philosophy of Human Services

Personal Philosophy of Human Services

Throughout time, I have found some systems to be slightly frustrating

and others down right annoying. Whether my frustrations stem from a

lack of funds and services needed in many agencies, to help those that

are less fortunate or those that are victims of crimes, there is an

immediate need that isn’t always being met. The more I learn about

Human Services, the more annoyed I get with our social ideology.

From the political arena to the local grass roots level, the human

services industry seems to be left to its own devices for survival. This

causes society to appear lacking in compassion and empathy for their

fellow man. In a for-profit corporate setting this would be acceptable,

however, this is about helping people become self-sufficient active

members of society. The same society we all live and work in every

day.

Society in general needs to be made more aware about what we, as

human service providers, are trying to do. Not only for the people have

we served, rather, for the betterment of society as a whole. A good start

to educating the public would be to explain just what it is that the

human services are really doing for society. The human service arena,

being as diverse in its scope as it is, basically is geared towards

providing a better life to members of society. Without all the dedicated

people, volunteers and paid alike, we wouldn’t be able to provide

nearly the services that are currently available.

The volunteer cadre makes up a large portion of the human services

system. These volunteers, including those who donate goods and

services to the cause, are responsible for large portions of the positive

changes that we see occurring. It is these people that get out there and

cause changes to happen for their local community, that are largely

responsible for the human services being accessible, useful, and

successful for those in need of services. If we left the desire to help

others in the hands of the politicians, we would be left empty handed.

Regardless of the lack of support, the people involved with the human

service programs are still the most caring and dedicated people I have

had the pleasure to meet. From my first contact with the counselors at

Western Washington University, to the ongoing involvement I have

through my internship, I am amazed daily by the dedication and true

empathy of those involved. Human service workers have one common

thread, the desire to make a change for the better in someone’s life.

Undeterred by the wage scales and working conditions, others and I

continue to pursue an education that will allow us to help less fortunate

people. Although we all have our own motivations for doing this kind

of work, there is a common goal between us all. This common goal is

what allows the human service system to achieve the high rate of

success that it has so far achieved.