What belief system did Angelina have and how did it impact her work?

Question

Social worker Angelina Pettit enjoyed practicing in a faith-based agency, where she found deep personal meaning in her work with clients. However, the work was complicated by the agencyís integral connections with her church. Her husband, Philip, a group leader in their church, invited Jacob and Raymond, two single men in his group and the church who were also Angelinaís clients, to their home for Christmas dinner. Angelina generally felt successful in managing her dual relationships, but it seemed this situation was hitting ìtoo close to home.î Their coming to dinner could challenge her sense of professionalism regarding dual relationships. But, she felt compelled to follow her faith and belief that individuals should not be alone during the Christmas season, and that celebrating community and being loved within the church family was important.

Answer 1

Angelina was a Christian who greatly valued helping people help themselves. She believed that her social work practice complemented her faith, and vice versa. Personally, Angelina had found much meaning in her work since she had been at IMH. She considered faith a strength in her clientsí lives and often addressed it in their treatment plans, interventions, and supervision. Angelina also chose to live in the neighborhood where most of her clients lived. She believed that her faith required her to be a neighbor with those who were struggling in poverty, experiencing oppression and discrimination, and searching for peace in life.