Charity Organization Society

Founded in 1869, in Great Britain, the Charity Organisation Society (COS) played a major role in making social work a profession. The Society's emphasis on advocacy and the systemization of methods, along with its focus on the family, and on a scientific approach created a foundation for the development of social work in Britain and the United States.

Related Topics:
Great Britain - Social work - Profession - Scientific

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1877 the first Charity Organization Society in the United States was established in Buffalo, New York.

Related Topics:
United States - Buffalo - New York

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The formation of Charity Organization Societies stemmed from concerns that poverty would lead to disease and social unrest. They originated in Europe and caught on in the U.S. by the late 1800?s. The principles of Social Darwinism and the conviction that relief promoted dependency were the basis for forming the Societies. Instead of offering direct relief, the societies addressed the cycle of poverty. Neighborhood charity visitors taught the values of hard work and thrift to individuals and families. The COS set up centralized records and administrative services and emphasized objective investigations and professional training. There was a strong scientific emphasis as the charity visitors organized their activities and learned principles of practice and techniques of intervention from one another. The result led to the origin of social casework. Gradually, over the ensuing years, volunteer visitors began to be supplanted by paid staff.

Related Topics:
Poverty - Social Darwinism - Relief - Practice - Social casework

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Charity Organization Societies were made up of charitable groups that used scientific philanthropy to help poor, distressed or deviant persons. The Societies considered themselves more than just alms giving. Their ultimate goal was to restore as much self-sufficiency and responsibility as an individual could manage. Through their activities, the Societies tended to be aware of the range of social services available in their communities. They thus became the primary source of information and referral for all services. Through these referrals, a Society often became the central agency in the social services of its community.

Related Topics:
Charitable - Philanthropy - Alms - Social services

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Charity Organization Society movement can be compared to the settlement house movement which emphasized social reform rather than personal problems as the proper focus of charity.

Related Topics:
Movement - Settlement house

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~