“Providing a Roof That Allows One to Dream of a Better Life”: A Case Study of Working with Families in Extreme Poverty

This paper presents a case study of a youth organisation working with families in extreme poverty and lack of adequate housing in Chile and Mexico. It initially describes the considerable structural changes that relate to the emergence of the organisation, and then discusses how across context case...

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Main Author: Maria Tsekoura
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2015-04-01
Series:Social Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/4/2/260
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author Maria Tsekoura
author_facet Maria Tsekoura
author_sort Maria Tsekoura
collection DOAJ
description This paper presents a case study of a youth organisation working with families in extreme poverty and lack of adequate housing in Chile and Mexico. It initially describes the considerable structural changes that relate to the emergence of the organisation, and then discusses how across context case study research that draws from the interpretivist interactionist tradition was employed. In the main body it presents interventions that aim to provide families with temporary accommodation, social support, education, micro-credit opportunities, and legal support. The paper aims to contribute to a discussion concerning wider insights to be gained from context-specific approaches in working with families. The article highlights the need for policy and practice that approaches families as complex, dynamic and context specific entities that are re-configured through their networks and interpersonal interactions, and are subject to particular plays of power relations. Furthermore, it argues for practice that fosters family agency that is based on recognition of strengths, emotional and cognitive aspects of decision making as well as nurturing of hope.
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spelling doaj.art-896d2bd550aa49ecb641a141fcc9ada02022-12-22T02:48:43ZengMDPI AGSocial Sciences2076-07602015-04-014226027510.3390/socsci4020260socsci4020260“Providing a Roof That Allows One to Dream of a Better Life”: A Case Study of Working with Families in Extreme PovertyMaria Tsekoura0School of Social Work, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Avda, Vicuña Mackenna 4860 Macul, Santiago 781000, ChileThis paper presents a case study of a youth organisation working with families in extreme poverty and lack of adequate housing in Chile and Mexico. It initially describes the considerable structural changes that relate to the emergence of the organisation, and then discusses how across context case study research that draws from the interpretivist interactionist tradition was employed. In the main body it presents interventions that aim to provide families with temporary accommodation, social support, education, micro-credit opportunities, and legal support. The paper aims to contribute to a discussion concerning wider insights to be gained from context-specific approaches in working with families. The article highlights the need for policy and practice that approaches families as complex, dynamic and context specific entities that are re-configured through their networks and interpersonal interactions, and are subject to particular plays of power relations. Furthermore, it argues for practice that fosters family agency that is based on recognition of strengths, emotional and cognitive aspects of decision making as well as nurturing of hope.http://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/4/2/260youth participationfamilies in extreme povertycommunity developmentLatin Americaacross context case studies
spellingShingle Maria Tsekoura
“Providing a Roof That Allows One to Dream of a Better Life”: A Case Study of Working with Families in Extreme Poverty
Social Sciences
youth participation
families in extreme poverty
community development
Latin America
across context case studies
title “Providing a Roof That Allows One to Dream of a Better Life”: A Case Study of Working with Families in Extreme Poverty
title_full “Providing a Roof That Allows One to Dream of a Better Life”: A Case Study of Working with Families in Extreme Poverty
title_fullStr “Providing a Roof That Allows One to Dream of a Better Life”: A Case Study of Working with Families in Extreme Poverty
title_full_unstemmed “Providing a Roof That Allows One to Dream of a Better Life”: A Case Study of Working with Families in Extreme Poverty
title_short “Providing a Roof That Allows One to Dream of a Better Life”: A Case Study of Working with Families in Extreme Poverty
title_sort providing a roof that allows one to dream of a better life a case study of working with families in extreme poverty
topic youth participation
families in extreme poverty
community development
Latin America
across context case studies
url http://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/4/2/260
work_keys_str_mv AT mariatsekoura providingaroofthatallowsonetodreamofabetterlifeacasestudyofworkingwithfamiliesinextremepoverty