Understanding the Perceptions and Actions of Black and Koreans Toward Social Problems: A View Through Congregation-based Social Services

Stephanie C. Boddie
School Social Work, Program for the Study of Organized Religion and Social Work
University of Pennsylvania
3701 Locust Walk, D-19, Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-898-5523
fAX: 215-573-2099
boddie@ssw.upenn.edu
 
Hwa-Ok Bae
School Social Work
University of Pennsylvania
3701 Locust Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-898-5511
fAX: 215-573-2099
hobae@ssw.upenn.edu
Purpose: Blacks and Koreans often co-exist in urban communities that have multiple social problems and limited resources. Congregations are vital, community-based resources that address community needs. This exploratory study will document the perception of the social problems relative to objective community needs and map the social services Black and Korean congregations provide.
 
Methods: Data from a survey of 418 Black congregations and 22 Korean congregations in one city and 1990 census data were used to compare the subjective and objective measure of social problems with the congregation-based social services provided. Survey data included the congregations’ demographics, history, governance, social services, and perception of social problems. Using geographic information system (GIS), the congregation-based social services were mapped along with variables that are proxies for community needs (e.g. income and education levels).
 
Results: Black and Korean congregations perceived poverty, crime, poor quality of education, and lack of  health and social service facilities as social problems. Black congregations provided more services in geographic areas with the greatest needs. Korean congregations focused on the social care among Koreans. However, two Korean congregations that provided community-oriented services to address the quality of education and lack of community-based social services.
 
Implications for practice: This study has implications for building community practice models that cross ethnic, cultural, and religious boundaries. Understanding the perceptions of social problems and visualizing the needs and services highlight the interconnectedness and possibilities for diverse groups to collaborate to address social problems.