when you serve in a non-profit that works with disadvantaged populations you have to treat them with the same respect and consideration that you would show to anyone. you should not disregard their feelings or purposefully inconvenience them to satisfy your own desire to show off the work you are doing. i understand that people investing in the work want to see “results” and see where their money is going, but doing that at the expense of the dignity of those you are supposed to be helping is just wrong.

One of the the value of social workers is “The dignity and worth of the Person.” Taking care to ensure that those we work with are treated well is vital. So many times those served by non-profit organizations have been dehumanized throughout their lives. To such a degree that they expect no better.

But we should be better. We have a responsibility to those we serve to treat them with all the respect we feel entitled to by our position.