The social problems that face society today are overwhelming. From homelessness to poverty, to youth violence many people slip through the cracks and are left to find their own solutions. Because so many people are impacted by these issues it can often be hard to find resources to provide help for all of them. Fortunately organizations such as the Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity are doing their part in ensuring the less fortunate get the help they so deserve.
Habitat for Humanity is a Christian service, founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller. It grew from a concept that was founded on a small farm outside Americus, Georgia, in 1942 . Since its conception it has become the world leader in fighting issues of poverty housing, which is the first and primary social issue Habitat for Humanity addresses. The caring individuals behind Habitat for Humanity saw people living in poverty and their solution was to build new homes for these people (2000). Funds to build the homes come from Funds for Habitat, meaning that the homes are paid for through fundraising activities and donations, at little to no cost of the new homeowner. Through their efforts they address poor housing facilities for low income families, seeking to provide adequate housing for all. The second social issue Habitat for Humanity attempts to address is disaster response. Through Habitat for Humanity and Habitat for Humanity International, volunteers respond to disaster sights with supplies, education, shelter, assistance, and training in an effort to bring relief to displaced survivors.
The Salvation Army is known for its many good needs and has addressed many social issues over its existence. One social issue this organization tries to remedy is youth violence and drug use. The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club provides activities, tutors, events, and most important of all, mentors to the youth of communities across the country. The youth centers were set up in an attempt to stop America’s youth from falling victim to gang violence and drug use. Studies had shown that the majority of youths who were getting involved in these activities were left to their own devices after school or had little adult supervision and guidance. Through the use of mentors and group activities in the centers the Salvation Army sought to give adolescents the guidance and group activities that they needed to help them stay out of trouble. The Salvation Army also addresses the social issue of poverty, specifically children living in poverty. Each holiday season they hold toy drives for needy children as well as collections to help bring holiday celebrations to families who cannot afford them.
The Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity each address a variety of social issues. Both focus on poverty in different ways: Habitat for Humanity seeks to shelter the poor while the Salvation Army seeks to bring them cheer and happiness during the holiday season. Habitat for Humanity further addresses social issues be responding to disaster sights with supplies and volunteer assistance while the Salvation Army created the Boys and Girls Club, a place for adolescents to spend their time recreationally in hopes that it would keep them out of trouble. Though these two organizations seek to help different demographics in a variety of ways, their goal is the same: to help those in need and create a change in social issues that are impacting all of us.
References
Bagget, J. P. (2000). Habitat for Humanity: Building Private Homes, Building Public Religion. Philedelphia: Temple University Press.
Bolin, R., & Stanford, L. (2003). The Northridge Earthquake: Community-based Approaches to Unmet Recovery Needs. Disasters, 25-39.
Dees, G. J. (2001). Taking Social Entrepeneurship Seriously. Chicago.
Munson, C. (2013). The Salvation Army in Dallas: The Supply Chain Challenges of a Non-Profit Organization. London: FT Press.
