This past week, we spent a lot of our time talking about mission statements. Mission statements are an opportunity for organizations to share a summary of their goals and objectives. This provides insight into the core beliefs and values of a particular organization. Our class has chosen the agencies that we hope to work with and potentially provide funds for a program that makes a lasting impact. Choosing agencies as partners or as an individual seeking help and support can be difficult. A mission statement can be a first glance into what this organization can do for you. Attention to detail in these mission statements tell you a lot about not only what the organization is hoping to accomplish, but also how they plan to reach that goal and address the motivations in doing so. This information is also crucial for the public because potential clients need to know the services that best fit them. In addition, a mission statement with different values, unattractive language, or lack of inclusive vocabulary may deter clients from seeking the help they need. Unfortunately, stigma is a major barrier to people seeking and understanding the help available to them.Whether an individual has been with a human service agency before or not there tends to be lack of knowledge and understanding of what services different agencies provide. A mission statement is an opportunity to share a glimpse into what these organizations stand for.
Ideally, agencies should adjust and adapt their mission statements as they achieve their goals and objectives. Adaptability is very important for organizations as the needs of the communities and populations they serve change. Antiquated language may exclude individuals and reinforce stigmas that drive them away from getting help. For example, an organization that uses mental illness when they really mean to address all mental health issues creates a dissonance in who is likely to seek help from them. In addition, it makes the organization seem as though they haven’t adapted or kept up with the changing times. Being able to recognize the needs of the populations you serve and staying critical of the work you do is very important in the human service profession.
This is not a one-time discussion, it’s something that sets a foundation for our critical eye in the human service field. This will also be a very important as we continue to learn about our chosen organizations and work on a grant proposal with them! Thanks for checking out our blog and stay tuned for more adventures :)