Agency Paper

Agency Paper Sandra Halbeisen October 8, 2013 SOWK 6151 Professor Cynthia Medina Our Lady of The Lake University Agency Paper There are many social service agencies that are making a difference in the lives of individuals. A social services agency can be defined as an organization providing social services that typically employs a range of helping professionals, including, social workers in addition to office staff, paraprofessionals, and sometimes volunteers (Barker, 2003). Agencies exist to help people who are in need of resources and services. Every agency has goals in place to help with individuals as well as their needs. Goals include improving peoples health, enhancing their quality of life, increasing autonomy and independence, supporting families, and helping people and larger systems improve their functioning in the macro social environment (Barker, 2003). Any agency plays a huge role in creating a positive atmosphere as well as qualified staff to help meet their goals and help their clients. If an agency has a strong organizational structure, than they will be able to make a great impact in their communities. One agency that is well respected and creating a positive change nationally, is Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas. Big Brothers Big Sisters is located at 202 Baltimore Avenue, San Antonio, Texas 78215. BBBS is a non-profit organization founded in 1904 by Ernest Coulter. Ernest Coulter, a court clerk from New York City, started New York Big Brothers when he saw a lack of guidance in the lives of children who were caught up in the juvenile court system. Locally, BBBS of South Texas has served the San Antonio community since 1978. The agency has grown to serve youth ages 5-21 in Atascosa, Bexar, Cameron, Comal, Guadalupe, Hildago, Kendall, Kleburg, Nueces, San Patricio, Webb and Wilson counties. In 2012, BBBS served over 2,900 youth in one-to-one mentoring relationships. BBBS started as a small organization, but has become Big