Systemic Change UpdateSeptember 2016

I was fortunate enough to attend the National Meeting of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Columbus, Ohio on August 31 to September 3, 2016. I attended many of the same sessions which Joleen so eloquently covered in her column last week. Therefore, even though they were wonderful and inspiring, I won't be writing about them. Instead, I'll be bringing you some of my take away thoughts on the Systemic Change sessions that I attended during the meeting.

The aim of Systemic Change is to end poverty. Ending poverty certainly sounds almost as daunting as eating an elephant. But, no Vincentian, no Conference, no Council needs to eat the whole elephant alone. By starting with individuals and families and by collaborating with other not-for-profits we can impact poverty. The effect will spread within families which will spread within communities and thereby within towns and cities. Together we can be the impetus to bring together like-minded organizations to end poverty. Together we can eat the elephant - one bite at a time.

Unfortunately, there is still some push back within the Conferences to the concept of Systemic Change. There is fear that we are stepping outside of our guidelines. However, if you were to pull out your copy of the Rule and read Part 1: 1.6 -Adaptation to a Changing Worldyou would find the following:

Faithful to the spirit of its founders, the Society constantly strives for renewal, adapting to changing world conditions. It seeks to be ever aware of the changes that occur in human society and the new types of poverty that may be identified or anticipated. It gives priority to the poorest of the poor and to those who are most rejected by society.

And then we have the words of our Founders:

The money or assistance in-kind that we give to those who are poor will not last long. We must aspire to a more complete and longer lasting benefit: study their abilities... and help them get work to help them out of their difficulties. Sister Rosalie Rendu

You must not be content with tiding the poor over the poverty crisis; you must study their condition and the injustices which brought about such poverty, with the aim of long term improvement. Frederic Ozanam

Certainly we must endeavor to go to the root of the evil and by wise and social reforms try to reduce the wide-spread distress. But we are convinced that a knowledge of the reforms...is to be learned not so much by pondering over books or by discussions among politicians...When we have studied the poor in their homes, in the schools and in the hospitals, not only in one, but in many cities...when we really begin to understand a little of this formidable problem of poverty. Then we have the right to suggest reforms... Frederic Ozanam

Further, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2442 directs us towards Systemic Change.

It is not the role of the Pastors of the Church to intervene directly in the political structuring and organization of social life. This task is part of the vocation of the lay faithful, acting on their own initiative with their fellow citizens...It is the role of the laity to animate temporal realities with Christian commitment, by which they show that they are witnesses and agents of peace and justice.

So, as you can see there is ample justification for Systemic Change within our heritage and roots as well as within the Church itself.

At finds, "Systemic change focuses on assisting the needy to change the overall structures within which they live. It looks to their being able to develop strategies by which they can emerge from poverty."

Systemic Change requires that we seek to find remedies to poverty's root causes, that we develop a deeper understanding of poverty and effect change throughout the Society - changes in our attitudes, our competencies, our behaviors, our processes, and our programs.

How can we start bringing Systemic Change to our Conferences? One early step is as easy as doing a better home visit. And just how do we do that? We can start by putting aside our clipboards and listening to the story our friends have to tell us. We might help them with their stories by asking some of the following questions:

  • What are your dreams and what can you do to reach them? What are the obstacles that are keeping you from reaching them?
  • How is your job going? Do you like what you are doing? If not, what would you rather be doing?
  • What do you like to do? What are you hobbies?
  • How are your kids doing in school?
  • Do you help them with their homework? If not, do you have a resource to call on for homework help?
  • Aside from the reason you called us, are you usually able to pay all your bills each month? If no, can we sit and do a budget together? Are you interested in taking a budgeting class?
  • Do you have a relationship with a financial institution?

Now, granted some of these questions may not be appropriate in every situation, but taking the time to listen to their life story will assist us in helping those we serve develop the strategies which will help them change their futures.

When you make a home visit, follow your heart and whatever questions you do ask, ask them with respect and compassion and out of friendship and love. Allow yourself to see Jesus in those you visit and let them see Jesus in you.

Vincentians serve the poor cheerfully, listening to them and respecting their wishes, helping them to feel and recover their own dignity, for we are all created in God's image. In the poor, they see the suffering Christ. (Rule 1.8)

Angela

Systemic Change Coordinator