What Would Saint Vincent de Paul Do About Today\u27s Global Poverty? Personalism vs. Paternalism: Social Work\u27s Role Within a Vincentian Institution

DePaul University’s mission and values statement and the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics are compared with the goal of forming lasting community/university partnerships for poverty eradication. In particular, DePaul’s social work program is examined. The university’s relationship to Chicago communities is explored. The article emphasizes importance of listening and responding to the needs of community organizations, rather than performing service based on our perceptions of those needs. The true value of service lies in transforming the outlook of those who serve and their resulting commitment to justice. Learning from the communities being served is just as essential as the service