Poverty and the controversial work of nonprofits

This article by Michael Jindra and Ines W. Jindra at the University of Notre Dame explores the differences between “relational” approaches to poverty vs. the “structural” approaches. (Yes, there is a divide here too!) Bridges and Getting Ahead are mentioned as one model that addresses poverty both ways.

Abstract

There has been a significant shift among antipoverty nonprofits toward what we call “relational work,” which involves working with clients over time on life changes. Some scholars discuss this, often in negative terms, as part of a broader neoliberal trend. We argue that relational work is an important and unavoidable part of ongoing efforts against poverty and homelessness. We also discuss the broader theoretical context that makes scholars suspicious of this kind of antipoverty work, and argue for a multifaceted approach to poverty that includes attention to relational work and the agency of clients.

Read the full article at the following link. If you don’t want to sign up to download the article, wait a few moments for the preview to load: “Poverty and the Controversial Work of Nonprofits”

Philip DeVol2022-07-28T08:27:39-05:00August 30th, 2017|Community|

About the Author: Philip DeVol

Phil DeVol is an international consultant who has been working with aha! Process since 1997. He used aha! Process concepts to make institutional changes at the addiction treatment center where he was the executive director for 19 years. During this time he also co-wrote Bridges Out of Poverty with Ruby Payne and Terie Dreussi-Smith. His book Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-by-World is being used to engage people in poverty in the work of building communities where everyone can live well. It worked so well that DeVol used it as a basis for a prison reentry model called Getting Ahead while Getting Out. He works with community leaders to help them move quickly from an attraction to application of Bridges concepts. Getting Ahead and Bridges are being used in hundreds of communities in the U.S., as well as a number of sites in Canada, Australia, Ireland, Scotland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. His books have been translated into Spanish, Slovak, and Czech.