Katalikiškų organizacijų vaidmuo teikiant socialines paslaugas Marijampolėje
Recenzentas / Rewiewer |
Licencinė sutartis Nr. MRU-EDT-2016.
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The paper examines the role of Catholic organisations in providing social services in Marijampolė. This study mainly focuses on the importance of values and roles of Catholic organisations within Lithuania’s social service system, as regional issues have not been sufficiently explored in the works of Lithuanian authors. Therefore, the aim is to gain a better understanding of the role these organisations play in ensuring the accessibility and quality of social services. The aim of the study is to reveal how Catholic organisations in Marijampolė contribute to the accessibility and quality of social services and how their activities are linked to the strengthening of social capital in the local community. The study applied methods of scientific literature analysis, document analysis, semi-structured interviews, and qualitative content analysis. Managers of Catholic organizations, social workers, and volunteers participated in the empirical research. The theoretical analysis revealed that the accessibility and quality of social services cannot be assessed on the basis of formal provision of services only. Assistance must be provided in a timely manner and adapted to specific needs of individuals, while preserving personal dignity, trust, and emotional security. The research findings indicate that representatives of Catholic organisations see their role as extending the provision of social services. They associate their activities with strengthening personal relationships with individuals, responding more flexibly to specific circumstances and the situation of a particular person. Cooperation between the municipality and other institutions is an essential condition for ensuring the accessibility and quality of social services; however, these indicators are weakened by a heavy administrative burden and an unclear distribution of responsibilities. The need for human resources, funding, training, and emotional support also became evident. Catholic organisations in Marijampolė are important participants in the social assistance system. They contribute in making social services more accessible and of higher quality by fostering a culture of support based on trust, community ties, volunteerism, and a value oriented relationship with the individual.