Chapter 11: Advocacy and Social Action with Populations at Risk
March 26, 2026 • 19:46
Chapter 11, “Advocacy and Social Action with Populations at Risk,” focuses on the social worker’s ethical mandate to champion the rights of those facing systemic unfairness. In this episode, we define key concepts such as case and cause advocacy, social action, and empowerment, while identifying the risk factors—such as physical differences, marginalized values, and lack of power—that place certain groups at risk for injustice. The discussion highlights the unique challenges faced by populations at risk, including racial and ethnic minorities, women, the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, and refugees. We explore diverse advocacy tactics, from grassroots and grasstop organizing and circulating petitions to using legal action and participatory action research (PAR) to involve clients directly in the change process. Additionally, we break down the legislative advocacy process, offering a step-by-step guide to influencing bills and communicating effectively with elected officials. Finally, we examine theoretical models of social action, such as Alinsky’s approach, which emphasizes the power of numbers and the necessity of redistribution of resources to achieve social, economic, and environmental justice.