Process Theory and Social Change Model

In class, we recently have learned about process theory and the social change model. The process theory, as quoted from a slide show shown in our class, is “a relational and ethical process of people together attempting to accomplish positive change.” In short, it is a process that empowers others, provides a sense of “we”, makes moral decisions, and has a shared vision/ purpose. The social change model incorporates a group, an individual, and a community, to create change in a societal structure that is existent in everyday society. I have had experiences with organizations that have incorporated both the process theory and social change model throughout my life, in both the past and present, and hope to be introduced to more in the future. One such organization that is present in my family today is detailed below.

The other day, I called home to have a conversation with my mom, dad, and my disabled sister, Liza. My sister immediately gets on the telephone, and starts to explain to me the day she has had at her program, one of many different programs that she has attended ever since she was two. Liza starts to explain that she went to the ASPCA, a local senior center, and the library, doing different types of community service for the greater Los Angeles County. She could not stop talking about the work she was doing and would do, and how she had so much fun doing it. I immediately realize that my sister is participating in a program that has incorporated both the process theory and the social change model. My sister has become part of a process that brings high-functioning disabled people together to attempt to1) do good in the community and 2) change the ideas about disabled people not being able to function in the workplace. By volunteering at animal shelters, senior homes, and libraries with some of her  other friends, my sister is promoting positive  changes to be made in the community, including raising funding for public libraries and animal shelters, as well as increased help to senior citizens in need. All of these changes are moral ones, and would better help the community she lives in and loves. She also feels as if she is part of a larger group of people, all who are disabled, like her. She is creating social change because her acts as a volunteer challenge the social structure that states that disabled people are not able to work in a normal-functioning society. She also works with job coaches, fellow volunteers and numerous organizations that she volunteers with to bring about this social change to individuals, to other groups, and to other communities as well. She is working with an organization that empowers her, makes moral decisions about their volunteer work, provides her a sense of belonging, and has an overall purpose shared by different organizers of the program.  She is promoting social change as an individual, in a group, and with the community to challenge ideas about those who are disabled. In short, because of the actions my sister has taken on behalf of this program, she is now part of an organization that incorporates both the process theory and the social change model.