Emphasizing the "social" in social work
Wild Bill's is a continuing experiment in the "social" part of social work. From the beginning, the coffeeshop's goal has been to bring people together across boundaries which divide us. Our particular mission has been to offer a place for crossing a boundary called "ability." Bob Finch, a longtime friend and supporter of Bill's, calls this "abilities awareness."
But there are other boundaries, too, which we try to cross, including those between student and teacher, and between campus and community. It is an ongoing project, something which continues to unfold.
Our ideas for the role of the coffeeshop come both from those who are here now and from the history of the social work profession. Hull House in Chicago had a coffeeshop before 1900, one of the very first projects of the settlement house started by Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr.
>From reading the letters and speeches of Jane Addams, I have discovered that the reasons for the success of the Hull House coffeeshop are quite similar to those for the success of community coffeeshops today. Back then, people wanted a sense of community, a place where they felt they belonged. They also wanted an informal place.
Now, in the 21st century, people who visit Wild Bill's and similar coffeeshops say they come for similar reasons. Customers say that what they like is the informality and the feeling of community which can be found in the coffeeshop. Ray Oldenberg, who wrote a book on coffeeshops and cafes, says the best of these are a "third place" between home and work. (His book echoes some of the themes of a study conducted by Hull House researchers more than a century ago.)
Each day, those who come to Wild Bill's are taking part in our experiment with the "social" in social work. It can be found in art projects and in conversations, in office hours and in student meetings. It can also be found in the music and theater presented in the coffeeshop and in the AA groups which meet at Bill's.
The coffeeshop is an ever-evolving effort in creating a sense of community. It is a place where we can experience "belonging moments," in the words of Jenny Barry, a 2001 MSW grad from the University of Iowa.
As social workers, we can take our experience of these "belonging moments" and try to create opportunities for others to experience them, too
posted by Tom Gilsenan @ 4:52 AM
12 comments
12 Comments:
I really agree with this article. Coffee shops of today and in the past share many of the same outcome. They both wanted to achieve an informal place where people of all ages, occupations, and relationships can come together. It all started with Jane Addams in the Hull house and I believe that all coffee shops have come from her even without knowing it.
Mary R.
I think this article makes good points. Especially the part about it being a community for people. You can meet with all sorts of people when you go to coffee house's. It's a great place to make friends and share common interests. The environment is so relaxing and it enables people to share feelings.
Dustin. P
That is why Coffee Shops are so great because they bring so many different cultures together. I think we need these sort of places to bring all of us together.When people are not social we never learn athings about other cultures and people who face otehr diversities.
Linsey a
When I think about the title of this blog “putting the social in social work”, I am compelled to state how important it is for every person to feel a sense of belonging. People relate themselves to different groups they associate with, whether it is their families, friends, co-workers or classmates. Very few people consider themselves to be without a group.
The other day on television, I was watching the movie, “A Beautiful Mind”. If you have never seen this movie, I recommend that you do. Anyway, it is the story of John Nash and during the time he was in graduate school, he developed schizophrenia. He created people in his mind that were not there and life scenarios that were not real. This itself is an idea that could be discussed on the need for people to belong. However, I am more focused on the ending of the story. Toward the end of the movie, John has worked through the issues he has with his schizophrenia and a man shows up at Princeton where he is teaching in order to tell him that he is being looked at to receive a Nobel Prize. As they go to discuss this situation, they enter the faculty room on campus to have tea. Mr. Nash is hesitant about going into the room, but does anyway. As these two men begin to discuss the award, different faculty begin to bring their pens and sit them down on the table in front of John. I believe the look on his face at that time tells the importance of an individuals desire to belong to a group.
There are so many other examples of why the putting the word “social” in social work is so important. I believe everyone needs to be a part of something greater than themselves.
~Amber Corey
I agree with this article. I think that a lot of people are more likely to open up and talk in a coffee shop than they would in an office. I also think that coffee shops are an important part of the community. No matter what coffee shop you go by there are always people inside talking together or playing cards or just enjoying the day. People of all different cultures and backgrounds go to coffee shops and it is this mingling of backgrounds that help us to grow as a community. We need to be exposed to different cultures in order to grow. I think that there need to be more places like this for people to get together and to learn about each other.
Rachael H.
Maggie Kuhlman
Social in Social Work
Learning so much about Wild Bill in my earlier school days, is a great way to talk about social in social work. He was someone who made everyone feel welcome and tried to always give the scene of belonging when they talked to him. I think everyone could learn a thing or two from Wild Bill, and I think this is why it’s so easy to associate coffee shops with this also. Wild Bill set the tone for how people should be treated when they come into a place. This is a great story for those going for social work to know about and experience, because this should always be one of our main goals. We should always be trying to give other people these experiences and opportunities
I really like the thought behind a coffee house as a "social" place. Whenever you go to a coffee shop it fun to sit and observe the different people and how they are socializing. Some are pretending to read a book but day dreaming. Others have met up for meetings, or just a relaxing place to gather with friends. The coffee shop is definatly a community within itself.
-Becky Smith
I really like the thought behind a coffee house as a "social" place. Whenever you go to a coffee shop it fun to sit and observe the different people and how they are socializing. Some are pretending to read a book but day dreaming. Others have met up for meetings, or just a relaxing place to gather with friends. The coffee shop is definatly a community within itself.
-Becky Smith
Emphasizing the social in social work. Is a good concept, people need all the positive opportunities to become social. We live in a society which value a lot more in-personal settings, like ipods, video games, computers. A lot of people are not interacting outside of normal settings, like work and church. When people find the opportunity to get outside of themeselves and put others first, society would be a much happier place to live. Since, I am working on becoming a social worker, I believe it is my duty to step outside of my comfort zone and help others to feel welcomed. The coffeeshops provide a perfect opportunity to meet new people and to socialize. Veronica
I agree that coffee shops are a great place to spend your time. When I lived in Minneapolis, I spent countless hours in neighborhood coffee houses. There are a wide variety of people to meet and/or just people watch. As a social worker, it is our duty to get out in the community and participate in life and all that it has to offer. What better place to spend your time, than a local, alcohol-free, coffee shop where people gather.
Emphasizing the Social in Social Work
Coffee shops have become a place where people can meet or just have a cup of joe to relax after a hard day. Most coffee shops have a relaxing atmosphere and I think this kind of atmosphere makes people relaxed and people are more willing to open up and meet new people. Nowadays, people are so uptight and you do not know if you even want to smile or say hi, it is sad.
At my place of employment, the activities department, started a coffee group. It is where the residents come to have coffee and cookies. It is a time for the residents to socialize with one another. Even though, we are small facility I do not think the residents really get to know each other. This Social time gives them a chance to get know each other better.
Coffee shops or coffee hour works for any group of people. It is just to get people together.
Margaret W.
Emphasizing the Social in Social Work
Coffee shops have become a place where people can meet or just have a cup of joe to relax after a hard day. Most coffee shops have a relaxing atmosphere and I think this kind of atmosphere makes people relaxed and people are more willing to open up and meet new people. Nowadays, people are so uptight and you do not know if you even want to smile or say hi, it is sad.
At my place of employment, the activities department, started a coffee group. It is where the residents come to have coffee and cookies. It is a time for the residents to socialize with one another. Even though, we are small facility I do not think the residents really get to know each other. This Social time gives them a chance to get know each other better.
Coffee shops or coffee hour works for any group of people. It is just to get people together.
Margaret W.
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