The Interview of Social Welfare Working in the Organization as a Professional - Essay Example

ISW/DA < Interview with a Social Worker/Discussion of an Agency> and Section # of Social WorkThe report represented in two parts show the working of a social welfare organization namely the “Special Olympics Organization” and follows it up with the interview of a social welfare working in the organization as a professional. Characteristics of Clients Served This all started in the early part of the 60’s when Eunice Kennedy took the initiative towards the introduction of recreation facility towards intellectual disabilities. The main characteristics of the clients served by this organization known as the “special Olympics” have not altered much. Intellectually handicapped people and to an extent some physically impaired people come under the banner of this organization. This organization has gone through a complete evolution process; from a recreation camp to full fledge Olympic Games of the modern era. Numbers Served According to the official website of the “Special Olympics” organization, the numbers of people that are being facilitated under this banner are 3.7 million athletes. This is a huge number in relative terms but the organization aims to achieve a target of 200 million people in the whole world. These athletes come from a fascinating 170 countries of the world ranging from ages 8 and up. There is also a program of junior athletes with intellectual disability ranging from age 2 to 8. Social Problems Treated A number of social issues are addressed whilst training for different sporting competitions. The basic aspect of this organization is that it does not discriminate on race, color cast or nationality. The issues that are addressed in the training camps is imparting the sharing and caring attitude. Team work is another essential part of the personality that is focused upon in these athletes. Helping attitude is one of the essential factors which are specially focused in the training sessions. Since learning speed of these athletes is one of the major issues, special attention is given to develop this personality trait. Description of the Agency The special Olympic mission remains a forerunner in making waves in the lives of deprived people in the world. It helps handicapped people live with their heads high. This is done through a rigorous training and educational program which helps intellectually disables persons to achieve their full potential. The mission statement on their website states that “The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community”. Services Provided The most basic service that is provided is training facility for athletes from all around the world. The second service is the organization of the whole games in different countries periodically, so that the athletes have a fair chance of proving their skill level on a world stage. Funding The major chunk of financial support comes from donations and grants from different organizations around the world. Some of the names that should be mentioned here, helping this good cause are Bank of America and Wall Mart, two of the leading sponsors of Special Olympics and its other activities. Apart from this a bill known as Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act has been passed which directs different state agencies in the U.S.A. to contribute towards the welfare of this organization on the financial front. Data on Clients Served The research regarding the health of disabled individuals led to the U.S surgeon General’s report which has concluded that the Special Olympics healthy Athletes program has brought more than 70000 athletes in 92 countries to the healthy screening process. The whole progress report is an essential document in proving on paper that this sort of an organization has a definite impact on the society, creating positive impulse that has made the world a better place for people not born with the same privileges of a normal human being. . Personal Opinion Being a part of this agency as the volunteer in the bowling category, I have observed the working of this agency first hand. It can easily be concluded with firm belief that sports is one area that can bring together intellectually handicapped people in one arena and perceptively build their personality to serve better for themselves and for the community as a whole. This organization has now served millions over a period of five decades and plans to reach out to areas never touched before. The planning of this organization, which I have seen in a brief stay with them, gives me utter confidence that they will accomplish the goals that they have set for themselves, no matter how difficult they are. Interview with a Social Worker This art of the report reflects an interview of a social worker working in the “Special Olympics Organization” whose working has been adequately described earlier in this report. Typical Day for You Every day comes with its own challenges. These individuals have slow learning habits and at times refuse to cooperate at all, therefore making volunteers start from scratch on most days. These individuals, although slow in learning are very sweat and pure at heart. This is the sole reason that she enjoyed turning up at work every day for 6 days in a week. Job Description Her job as a supervisor is to take responsibility of all the training and personality building exercised everyday. As a supervisor it is her responsibility to coordinate with the staff and volunteers to ensure that the right kind of atmosphere prevails in the parameters of our learning and training centre. Also, she has to ensure all the basic facilities and training activities are coordinated with each other and all activities start and end on the prescribed time, as these individuals may become restless when things happen out of the routine. Problem Solving The problems they face every day are the variable attitude and behavior of the athletes practicing for any event. A lot of times, they get frustrated by the fact when their desired results are not shown in their daily progress. This problem has to be tackled very carefully as this situation can easily be infuriated, therefore extreme caution has to be practiced. This problem is taken care of by patience and calmness. These two things are the core of a volunteer working with any welfare organization, as love and care are the two basic things these individuals respond to easily. Favorite Factor The best thing about her job as a whole, she described with sparkling eyes was the fact that there is something that she is putting her name on this world. She is enthusiastic about the fact that she is doing something for the greater good of the world and helping those reach stability who were not gifted with the presents she has been gifted by god. Least Likable Factor The most disturbing factor that she describes is the non-understanding behavior of people and even the higher hierarchy towards these people. She mentions that commercialism has had such an impact on organizers mind that the fact that these impaired people is human, this fact fails to register on their minds. This according to her breaks the hearts of many people who worship their jobs for a cause rather than due to the monthly payments. Future sightings The future is very bright, she claims. According to her, as now more sponsors and money is involved in the whole process, more professionals and investors are turning their eyes on this bleak picture making it bright with every passing day. The Game-changer When asked about the change that she wants to see in the whole setup, she only had one word “respect”. She only demands respect from the people working along her ranks and those who support the cause. She says that respect is the one thing that will turn around every negative aspect of “special Olympic organization” and welfare work as a whole. Conclusion The report can be concluded by my personal opinion about the kind hearted lady I interviewed for the completion of this report. Her passion was so visible that the vibes coming out were felt in the whole premises where these activities were taking place. Each and every person was full of smiles and pleasantries, not only with the intellectually disable people but also with visitors, friends, family and volunteers alike. References Special Olympics. (2011). Special Olympics. Retrieved 12 09, 2011, from www.specialolympics.org Special Olympics Wisconsin. (2011). Special Olympics Wisconsin. Retrieved 12 08, 2011, from http://www.specialolympicswisconsin.org/general_info.html Read More