PLASE's Philosophy of Advocacy

The philosophy of Project PLASE, Inc., is to stand with and serve those persons who are marginal to the larger society, because of poverty and circumstance.

The approach is one of working with and for persons in need through a philosophical and practical approach of advocacy. Advocacy by definition means "speaking on behalf of." In practice it means accessing and developing resources to meet these basic human needs.

Advocacy, as basic for working with the poor incorporates all levels of PLASE’s operation and individual functioning.

All advocacy falls within three (3) categories:

Front Line Advocacy Accessing the existing human service system, helping clients utilize and move through the human service system. It also includes a way of working with (an orientation to) those being served by PLASE direct care staff. The principle is one of equality and equal access to the community.
Second Level Advocacy includes education of the community, and the development of new resources.
Third Level Advocacy This level is much broader and inclusive than the above two in the effect for which it aims. This level of advocacy is concerned with coalition building, changing or issuing new legislation or legal mandates and system policy change.

Work as an advocate can only grow from the belief in the inherent value first and foremost of each citizen, in his/her personhood.

DID YOU KNOW?

According to SAMHSA's Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS), more than 120,000 admissions to substance abuse treatment in 2000 were homeless at time of admission. Admissions who were homeless were more likely to be veterans and were older (average age 38 years) than admissions who were not homeless (age 33).

see more homelessness facts