Within the context of social work, social action is a method of professional practice implying an organized effort to either change or improve social and economic institutions through the mobilization and organization of the community. Compared to other methods of social work, social action underlines the essential changes in social institutions. It covers social, religious, and political reforms, as well as aims to establish social justice and civil liberty. Delivering food and personal hygiene products to vulnerable members of the community, including the elderly, was the social action in which I have recently participated.
The main issue that the social action pursued was concerned with ensuring the well-being of vulnerable individuals in the community. By engaging non-profit organizations as well as local businesses, the social action managed to gather enough products to cover all vulnerable individuals.
The target population included individuals without housing, single mothers, as well as the elderly without family support. The critical demand that the social action facilitated targeted the local government, which should have provided the necessary resources for living without engaging the community or local businesses. The activists called for the overview of the situation with the lacking resources to ensure that vulnerable individuals are offered the support they needed.
The main benefit of social action was getting the community closer. The owners of local businesses offered products that were vital to vulnerable people. Other activists who delivered the food and other products got to know each other, which eventually created a strong system of support. The action should serve as an example for communities, especially at these uncertain times with the global pandemic. By knowing each other’s needs and supporting one another, it is possible to overcome anything.