During a recent conversation with my friend, Jason Cleveland, we discussed the whole notion of being a “social worker” vs. having a “social mindset”.  Jason works with ex-offenders helping to re-acclimate them into society specifically on the job front.  That is where he and I share a passion: helping others find meaningful work.  We both understand the crisis that society is faced with now and that is finding work for those who have paid their debt to society.

In Jason’s not for profit work and in our own offices, we’re faced with the choice of performing social work everyday or having a mindset that is socially aware and concerned.  Sometimes the easy answer is to provide all the answers to the tough questions that are being asked of those we help.  The more difficult solution is to pave the way for those to find the answers on their own.

Jason and his staff, as well as the staff here at St. Louis Staffing, work very hard finding the opportunities needed to place people into meaningful positions and satisfy their human need to work.  There are overflow needs that come about from both our work.  Often Jason must help his clientele find places to live, appropriate clothing to wear (especially on an interview) and some basic financial knowledge to make sure they can take care of themselves.  Our staff often helps our employees decide on places to live based on the work we might have for them, we have helped in making decisions for medical treatment for their children and recommended schools.

In all the examples mentioned above, there can be a temptation to do the work for those asking for it.  That is exactly the wrong message to send and the wrong attitude to take in order to help people.  Doing things for people who are perfectly capable of doing it themselves is a hinderance to the outcome of self sustainability that everyone is trying to reach with a social mindset.

If you give a man a fish, he will have a single meal.  If you teach him how to fish, he will eat all his life.  Kwan-Tzu