Personalism through Flexibility

PERSONALISM We seek to honor diversity and treat all people with dignity and respect. We recognize that each person is worthy and valued simply by being. We seek simplicity and flexibility in our operations, and cherish our relationships with one another.

On St. Anthony’s website we highlight the Franciscan values that guide our organization, and one of those values is Personalism. One of the ways we try to embody that value is by “seeking simplicity and flexibility in our operations…”

As a social worker at St. Anthony Foundation I value how the Social Work Center is able to really embrace the value of Personalism. At the Social Work Center we are able to meet clients wherever they are at, and journey with them from that point.

As a result, my interactions are able to be flexible and unique. Some individuals I am able to see on a weekly basis through our payee services. Still others have turned into weekly counseling sessions where clients are able to begin deep healing in themselves and allow me to journey with them.

And for those who aren’t in a place of as much stability, we are able to reach out through our drop-in hours. By coming to drop-in hours, individuals whose lives may be too chaotic to make or keep a scheduled appointment can still access a social worker. At that point, Social Workers are able to let the client know that they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and that our doors are always open for them to come back and address more barriers that keep them feeling desperate.

One more area the Social Work Center is able to be flexible in meeting our clients is through engaging and being available for guests in the Dining Room for two hours during service every weekday.

I find it a rewarding challenge and a joy to be able to journey beside people and be present with them, whether for the short-term as they experience temporary crisis, or longer-term, when I am able to stand beside clients as they weather waves of both despair and hope.

Sarah Spellman is a Social Worker in St. Anthony’s Social Work Center.