Mission
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Political Mission Statement We are of the view that social misery cannot be abolished from the world by excluding or discriminating against the sufferers, but that this only contributes to a further consolidation of existing inequalities of opportunity. The social association B37 works in the service of a democratic polity whose goal it is to allow those of its men and women who have encountered adversity to help themselves, to contribute to a social dialogue with the affected people and to offer the public opportunities for education in regard to the phenomenon of poverty. The task of drawing attention to prejudice against the socially excluded and the causes of their exclusion, as well as working towards overcoming it, requires continual public relations and media work as well as involvement and lobbying for the development and shaping of social policy in the country. In this regard we see our work not least as preventative and hope to be making a contribution to a more just and humane society. The provision of "housing" is a basic right according to article 25 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). Not to fulfil it means exclusion from life in society. Up to the present day, accommodating homeless people is the basis and the fundamental assignment of our work. Lack of housing is a social problem, which affects increasing numbers of people. It is no longer just low income groups in society, but increasingly also middle class circles that are affected by the increase in cost and shortage of housing (cue new poverty). The social association B37 has responded to this development with the creation of offers of support tailored to specific target groups. The re-integration of people who have been pushed to one side through independent forms of housing as well as fulfilling basic material needs are integral parts of the current approach to support. In the PSWB (Psycho-social hostel), we offer the increasing number of mentally ill homeless people comprehensive, individually tailored and multi-professional care. gives homeless people the opportunity of finding long-term accommodation and making use of various professional care facilities. The "springboard" to make a new start is SCHU (Transitory hostel Schumannstraße), in which the residents prepare for a new chapter in their lives in accommodation of their own. Our hostel ALOA (Living actively without alcohol) offers people suffering from alcohol-related conditions the opportunity to take responsibility for their lives in a "dry" environment, once they have been treated for their addiction. NOWA (Emergency overnight centre Waldeggstraße) near the main railway station gives homeless people in acute need, as well as people who have not yet managed to develop longer- term prospects a place to spend the night. The employees of OBST (Homeless street work) care for those living "on the street". TAGO (Daytime support Goethestraße) offers customers of the association the opportunity to practice handicrafts independently with professional supervision. Should someone require qualified support concerning problems with living independently, MOWO (Mobile housing support) would be the relevant contact. Is a client of this sozial organization in need of professional help in a difficult time his/ her life, or has psychological problems, the staff of the PSD (Psychological Service) provides adequat care. The ABS (Information Center for Alcohol Abuse Linz) serves as a contact point for people who are addicted to alcohol, respectively for those who are in danger to develop such a habit, as well as for family members, and people who are interested in this topic. Next to counselling, mentoring and support this institution offers also the possibility of psychotherapie and consultation for family members and friends. |
Organisational Mission Statement The social association B37 is a customer-oriented service company in the social sector. We regard the structure of the association as an advantage in our work: it allows us to react independently, flexibly and quickly to societal developments and the social problems that result from them. The association is better placed to work and mobilise actively against societal and social problems than public bodies, and operates and experiments more easily in pre-legal, inter-departmental areas. The principles of our business culture are: • independent work with shared responsibility • willingness of employees, directors and organisation to develop • willingness to engage in co-operation and conflict • exchange of professional know-how and interdisciplinary acceptance • respect as a guiding principle • a encouraging climate towards further education • responsible and efficient use of time and money • self-critical attitude to our work and transparent leadership structures enabling creative work, change and innovation. Methodological Mission Statement We are a multi-professional team consisting of social workers, psychotherapists, nurses, psychologists, doctors, carers for the elderly and the disabled, addiction advisors, youth educators as well as employees hired laterally from other professions. Our qualification relies on specific professional basic training, education and further development, supervision and team work. Malfunctioning relationship patterns are often the starting point for dissocial "careers". We regard building up personal relationships and methodical work on relationships as the basis of social work with our customers. It is important to us to perceive the existing strengthens of our customers and to encourage them towards the goal of improving social skills as well as taking the highest possible responsibility for oneself. In the process we do not overlook the fact that "failure" is not just a result of a mental predisposition, but always exists in connection to a specific environment. So we try to encourage creating structure in terms of time and meaning through adaptive measures, use of cultural, handicraft and festive activities and events within the home care environment. We regard networking - in the sense of close co- operation with other social organisations - as an absolute necessity in order to meet basic needs and to open up support resources in the social arena. We are also willing to explore new and unconventional techniques in social work, providing they have a sound professional foundation and are accompanied by constant self-reflection. Goals and Visions Nothing is so good that it cannot be improved. For this reason we pursue intensification and expansion in the following areas: • Networking with other institutions in the social sector • Nurturing contacts and co-operation with relatives • Drop-out prevention • Participation in social policy formation • A federal law "Help for the Homeless" Although much has been realised and initiated over the last few years this does not allow us to rest on our laurels. Pursuing improvement, change and regeneration - in terms of our clientele - is and will remain an important element of our activities. The importance of widening our activities and to measure ourselves against existing needs goes without question. |