Philanthropy Through Practice

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.

By Sarah Sweeney
March 10, 2025

This past week I experienced a momentous event of passing a social work licensure exam, something I have been putting off for the past twelve years or so. In all the positions I’ve held I never really needed this piece of paper until now, and lately have been reflecting on what it means to give back to my fields of practice as a professional social worker and public administrator. I really love school and learning, but I really hate taking tests, and it was a grey cloud hovering way above my sphere of practice until I finally decided to take the test (and actually study for it). In a way, achieving this status has catapulted me into the next level of competence and has encouraged me to discover more ways in which I can give back to my profession; I will call this philanthropy through practice. Lately there has been significant turmoil in the ranks of government and society, and I believe practices such as harm reduction will be our guide to rebuilding the human capital infrastructure we need to maintain our sanity over the long haul. On its face, harm reduction is centered around reducing negative consequences brought on by substance use and abuse, and I would suggest that these focused strategies can aid in the future success of our communities. To rebuild what is broken, we must bring resources and change to the people, meeting them in their community and developing policies and interventions tailored to meet the needs specific to those we are serving. As leaders it is our responsibility to minimize harmful effects of tyranny and dictatorship within our social structure, for the success of our people. We cannot simply ignore or condemn volatile actions or behaviors, but instead understand them and acknowledge safer ways to approach and manage the side effects of poor leadership at the top. It is important to establish quality services and interventions geared toward the well being of all peoples, not just a select few, and we must ensure equitable and non-coercive programs designed to benefit all communities, while providing an opportunity for all voices to be heard and end the harm we are currently inflicting by supporting those in power with a penchant for discrimination.

One theory that lends well to this work is restorative justice, where we as leaders can encourage those causing harm to take responsibility and understand the consequences of their flagrant and misdirected beliefs, and offer alternatives to improve and repair relationships with those directly impacted. In my experience as a middle of the road type person and someone otherwise committed to social justice, I have recognized that current practices within federal level government have not been in the best interest of its people. The gap is growing larger and more people are being left behind, we are witnessing widespread harm coming to those most vulnerable within our communities and we must push back and prioritize repairing vital relationships on a global scale before we dig a chasm so deep there is no point of return. Through collaborative approaches in community organizing we can become better administrators, pulling together communities and groups of people aligned with the same values and visions of an equitable and respectable future. To be a leader we must lead with integrity and bravery, we must stand up against injustice and push back against imbalance of power everywhere. We cannot be successful if we are not willing to take necessary and calculated risks in favor of community development. We are parts of a whole, and the whole is merely the sum of its parts. So let’s push together to restore the justice we need and desire in our local communities for the future of our society.

These “buzz” words come to mind since taking my exam, and have reinvigorated my sense of purpose and vocation as a professional social worker and public administrator. Our field is perfectly poised to take on the leadership currently in place and it will take commitment, compassion and energy to endure the trials we have yet ahead. Much of what I write about is focused on topics of leadership, development and coaching because without these we have no guidance in doing what is right. I urge you to evaluate your own practice and push for what is right and make a difference, no matter how small, in your own communities. The time is now to stand up and lead from behind, to be that servant leader we all need in the coming months and years.

Author: Sarah Sweeney is a professional social worker and public administrator in Washington State. She may be contacted at [email protected]