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Contents | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Notes & References | Appendices |
Appendices
Appendix A
Traditional Scholarly Disciplines that Inform Transformative Community Practice
|
General Disciplines & Sub-fields |
Strengths/Contributions |
Limits/Liabilities [14] |
|
Anthropology
|
-understands culture -grass roots, community based -develops listening skills -community mapping tools -history of learning to understand people’s reality |
-non intervention -no community action component -belief in objective observer -non-participatory |
|
Economics
|
-promotes self sufficiency -incorporates training -challenges economic status quo -participatory livelihood |
-unrealistic with extremely marginalized -creates false expectations -context problematic |
|
Education
|
-promotes awareness of underlying causes of inequality -analysis of power difference -leads to action -inclusive -learning from experience |
-methodology not developed by group -limited scope -most useful once group in existence -lacks action focus |
|
Health
|
-builds from the ground up -goes where people are -uses determinants of health -includes participation & action research -community based |
-scope limited
|
|
International Development
|
-builds grassroots capacity -local assessment, program planning -useful set of already developed tools
|
-grassroots decision making the exception -outcomes created by donours -rarely questions root causes |
|
Planning & Development
|
-neighbourhood based -social change orientation -radical analysis of power -effective outreach -activist -organizes groups -facilitates community involvement -analysis of power -flexible |
-leadership from outside -confrontational style -traditionally male dominated -focus on winning single issue -short term |
|
Political Science
|
-emphasis on inclusivity |
-theory based -non-specific -missing interpersonal one-on-one dynamic |
|
Psychology
|
-social change focus -commitment to empowerment -community based -redistribution of social power -coalition building -values diversity -pairing of research & action |
-usually initiated from outside of community -tension between community based activism & academia |
|
Religious Studies
|
-understanding of interconnectedness of things -positive vision |
-not specific to community practice |
|
Social Work
|
-contextual analysis -big picture -caring -community immersion -outreach -action focus -capacity building component important -supports networks -analysis of power |
-individual focus -clients and service provider mentality -organizing not well documented |
|
Sociology
|
-analysis of social change -participatory democracy -based on fundamental values |
-theory based -non-specific -retrospective rather than active |
|
Women’s Studies
|
-inclusive -incorporates analysis of race, class & gender -feminist -radical activist tradition -coalition building -collaborative -social change focus -activist |
-non-specific -increasingly theory focussed |
Appendix B
PEERS’ Philosophical Stance:
The organization has an ongoing and unwavering commitment to peer-led services, administration and policy development. It is dedicated to shaping the organization in response to the experiences of sex trade workers, whether that information is anecdotal or derives from formal, collaborative research ventures. Finally, and significantly, PEERS has refused to align itself with either of the two dominant discourses on sex trade work: the pro-trade prostitutes’ rights position and the abolitionist, anti-prostitution position.
As befits an organization concerned with the complicated lives of those in the sex trade, PEERS has developed a complex analysis of the factors that interact to involve and keep women in the trade. Wahab (2002) notes in discussing the relationship between social work and sex trade workers that service providers rarely see sex trade workers as the “experts” of their own lives. All three of the explanatory analyses—that is, that it is a result of immorality, that it is borne of pathology rooted in traumatic childhood experiences, that it results from gender and/or economic oppression—that have shaped approaches to working with sex trade workers (redemption, therapeutic interventions or consciousness-raising) have been authored from outside the trade. From inside the trade, where PEERS is located, there is recognition that the search for explanatory variables is useful insofar as it contributes to, but does not constrain, the development of programs responsive to the needs of sex trade workers. In other words, interest in whether sex trade work is constructed as “work” and, therefore, is seen as a matter of choice, or constructed as evidence of oppression or of psychopathology, must never impede the provision of services. PEERS has always positioned sex trade workers as the experts, using their wisdom, knowledge and experience to inform service and program development. Sex trade workers participate in and value these programs because they see them as reflecting the realities of their lives (Rabinovitch and Strega 142).
Appendix C
Summary Introduction of the Declaration and Agenda for Action developed by participants at Out from the Shadows: International Summit of Sexually Exploited Youth, and presented to the United Nations General Assembly.
DECLARATION[15]
We the sexually exploited child and youth delegates gathered in Victoria Canada, for Out From the Shadows: International Summit for the Sexually Exploited Youth, declare the following:
We declare that the term child or youth prostitute can no longer be used. These children and youth are sexually exploited and any language or reference to them must reflect this belief.
We declare that the commercial sexual exploitation of children and youth is a form of child abuse and slavery.
We declare that all children and youth have the right to be protected form all forms of abuse, exploitation and the threat of abuse, harm or exploitation.
We declare that the commercial sexual exploitation of children and youth must no longer be financially profitable.
We declare that all children and youth have the right to know their rights.
We declare that the issue of child and youth sexual exploitation must be a global priority and nations must not only hold their neighbors accountable but also themselves.
We declare that governments are obligated to create laws which reflect the principle of zero tolerance of all forms of abuse and exploitation of children and youth.
AGENDA FOR ACTION
Our agenda contains actions that are based on our beliefs. Our beliefs have come from what we have lived. To understand why these actions will work, you must understand our beliefs and the life experience that have led to these beliefs.
We believe that education is vital in our struggle against the sexual exploitation of children and youth.
We believe that the voices and experiences of sexually exploited children and youth must be heard and are central to the development and implementations of action. We must be empowered to help ourselves.
We believe that we have the right to resources that are directed towards sexually exploited children and youth and our very diverse needs.
We believe that our laws must protect us as sexually exploited children and youth and no longer punish us as criminals.
We believe that we are all responsible for our children and youth, yet the issue is not ours alone.
Governments, communities and society as a whole must be held accountable for the sexual exploitation of children and youth.
Appendix D
Summary Analysis of Example Projects
|
Aspect |
VSCA |
Downtown Women’s Project |
PEERS |
Summit |
ICCEC |
|
Project |
Two year community development (CD) project with homeless men |
One year CD project plus one year training and employment project with homeless/street women |
One year of CD and seven years of developing programs and services with and for sex trade workers |
Six years of working with sexually exploited youth combatting sexual exploitation nationally and internationally |
One year development stage of international experiential organization |
|
Key players at the table |
Homeless and very poor downtown men Change agent |
Women with a street/drug history on welfare Change agent Staff team Board of society |
Sex trade workers, past and present Change agent |
People who were sexually exploited youth Change agent Advisors/allies Staff of national NGO |
People who were sexually exploited youth Change agent Advisors/allies Staff of national NGO |
|
Initiating factor |
Change agent while at City, Social Planning |
Change agent while at City, Social Planning |
Sex trade workers |
Cherry Kingsley, former sexually exploited youth |
Cherry Kingsley, former sexually exploited youth |
|
Goal |
An organization of their own A place to go Permanent housing |
A women’s emergency shelter Permanent housing Training and employment |
An organization of their own Programs and services to support sex trade workers exit and/or stay safe and healthy Training and employment Housing |
A gathering so sexually exploited youth could be part of addressing issue and a national follow-up strategy and project |
An organization to combat sexual exploitation led by experiential youth and adults |
|
Back-ground players behind the scenes |
City Hall Downtown Working Group Prov. Gov’t, Other services |
City Hall Prov. Gov’t, Other services Business Crew Neighbours |
Community, Prov. Govt, Academic researchers Politicians Police |
Community, Federal Gov’t Media |
University partner International Foundations |
|
Resources |
Free food Space Wages for experiential staff Computers Professional coordinator |
Free food House Staff team Training and employment project - shop Renovation crew |
Office Wages for experiential staff Computers |
Funding for Summit Partnership with national NGO |
Resources to develop web-site Funding for staff and projects |
|
Outcomes |
Creation of VSCA and Medewiwin Housing StreetMeet Eventual closing of VSCA |
Creation of construction training program Renovation project Sandy Merriman House |
PEERS PEERS Place Stories project show and book Eventual closing of PEERS Place Stories - PEERS Research reports Training projects Street outreach Public education |
Summit Agenda and Declaration for Action Into the Light Sacred Lives
|
BC Coalition of Experiential Women Curriculum National Coalition of Experiential Women |
|
Issues and Obstacles |
Ongoing interpersonal conflict among participants Limited capacity Ongoing need for outside help Unrealistic expectations on part of gov’t Lack of funding, Lack of indigenous leadership |
Ideological differences among staff Large distance between staff and participants Street women didn’t have voice in second part of project Staff conflict Conflict between change agent and Board |
Ongoing need for training Lack of experiential people for Board Atmosphere of constant crises Struggle for funding Lack of funding and leadership for PEERS Place |
Lack of tolerance for experiential involvement at NGO Unrealistic expectations resulting in severe stress Need for ongoing support Constant travel |
Ongoing need for non-experiential support Difficulty in finding core operating funding for experiential organization Constant travel |
|
Points of transform- ation, successes, key moments |
Homeless men became part of the solution not just an item on everyone’s agenda Participated in community Sense of pride in having their own place Street Meet offered an opportunity for bridging
|
Sandy’s death highlighted the need for a different way of deciding things Collaborative process would have helped bring agreement on goals and principles Need to continue group planning process even when women became participants in the project Construction training project Opening of Sandy Merriman House |
PEERS respected position in community Visible staff capacity building and success after they leave PEERS Change in attitudes toward sex trade Ongoing relationships Indigenous leadership Tolerance for crises Community support Programs and services for STW’s that they design, develop, and implement |
Summit that resulted in Agenda and Declaration for Action presented to UN Summit planning flexible and responsive Change in approach, language understanding of issue world wide |
Recognition of need for partnership Impact on how province responds to issueSupport for development of national organization of sex workers to address sexual exploitation and needs of sex workers |
Appendix E
Qualities of Change Agent in Transformative Community Practice
Appendix F
Community Partners in Transformative Community Practice
Activist Groups
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Advocacy Organizations
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Anti-poverty groups
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Feminist Organizations
Special event planning groups
Dec 6th (a day of remembrance and a day of action on violence against women in Canada)
International Women’s Day
Take Back the Night
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Queer groups
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Women’s Centres - community & university or college
Educational Institutions
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Employment Training Agencies
Employment training
Life-Skills training
Pre-employment training programs
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Primary & Secondary Schools
Individual classroom teachers
Parent Advisory Councils
School board
School principals & counsellors
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Post-Secondary Institutions
Career & trades training
College pre-employment training courses
Community-University Research Partnership Projects
Practicuum students
Schools of Social Work, Nursing, Women’s Studies
Upgrading programs
Government
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Federal
National elected representatives
Policy & program staff
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Municipal
City Manager’s Office
Community Development Division
Mayor and Council
Police Department
Chief, Deputy & Inspectors/Senior Management
Police Board or other civilian governance oversight group
Vice Squad
Social Planning Department
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Provincial
Appropriate Ministries - policy and program staff
Members of provincial or state legislature
-
Regional
Committees
Regional Health Authority
Media
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Daily newspaper
-
Free community papers
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Individual journalists
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Local television stations
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Radio - university, public and commercial
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Women’s magazines
Private Sector Interests
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Business Community
Chamber of Commerce
Local family businesses
Local financial institutions
Tourism Associations
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Churches, mosques & synagogues
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Philanthropists
Individuals
Local Foundations
Service Clubs
Services
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Health
Addictions treatment services
AIDS Agencies
De-tox
Emergency room personnel
Individual doctors
Mental Health Support Services
People with AIDS organizations
Public Health
Psychiatrists
Street nurses
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Homeless
Drop-in programs
Shelters
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Youth Services
Health clinics
Street outreach
Youth serving agencies
Contents | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Notes & References | Appendices