Institutional Change
Long-term solutionsDeals with root causes, structures. Impacts laws, policies. Justice (Essential part of Christian Life) Exemplified by Moses & the Prophets Empowerment of People Community Organizing Advocacy Legislative Lobbying Educating for Justice Cooperative Enterprises: (Credit Unions, Worker-Owned Enterprises like production, consumer, housing) |
Direct Service
Daily Christian LifestyleHelping people survive current crisis. Short term relief. Charity Exemplified by Good Samaritan Soup Kitchens Homeless Shelters Food Banks, Pantries Clothing Centers Visitation programs: elderly, sick, prisoners Tutoring Sponsor immigrants Birthright ( food, clothing, funds) |
When you are finished doing volunteer work in Direct service, have your group sit down and do a Social Inquiry (analysis).
Observe:
Judge: What can we do to empower these folks to remove some or all of these causes?
Act: What shall we do next, so that we are not just dealing with symptoms, but helping to make institutional (permanent, long-range solutions) change?
"Christians…are called by God to be involved in the world in order to transform it according to the gospel…these duties include positively contributing to the establishment of just laws and structures that foster human values." (Pope John Paul II, Nairobi, 1980)
Credit: Social Action Department, Diocese of Davenport, 2706 Gaines St., Davenport, IA, 52804-1998, (563) 324-1911, Rev. Martin A. Mottet
It takes TWO FEET to walk. Otherwise we lose balance. It's not either–or, but both–and. If we use only the first foot (direct service), we could make matters worse by fostering dependency. If we use only the second foot (institutional change), we might become too far removed from the realities of the situation. A true Christian lifestyle requires of us that we live in solidarity with those in need and come to their assistance in emergencies. We cannot isolate ourselves.
Direct service can provide us with the data needed for institutional changes: extent and kind of need, workable solutions, a greater sense of urgency. Direct service is sometimes classified as "charity". Institutional change is "working for justice." There can be no love without justice. If we really love someone, we want him or her to have what is rightfully theirs and to be all that God intended him or her to be. If we really love, we will work to change structures, systems, laws and policies which are harmful to people.
Empowerment of low-income people and self-determination is our goal wherever possible. Self-help is our priority, helping people to become self-sufficient wherever possible. The functions listed in both feet are what an ordinary citizen in a parish or congregation might do.
To help achieve policy change contact: