Cross-Cultural Dialogues on Homelessness by Jay S. Levy Robin Johnson

Author:Jay S. Levy, Robin Johnson [Jay S. Levy, Robin Johnson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781615993666
Goodreads: 38371459
Publisher: Loving Healing Press
Published: 2018-03-01T00:00:00+00:00

A core part of any AI process is the appreciative conversation, usually paired, which can last from five to forty-five minutes. So, we first asked everyone to think of a good experience when they helped a friend (or were helped by a friend). Initially, a staff member shared his story by responding to my questions, and this in itself set a very different tone than more routine meetings residents attended. He talked about a story where he had helped someone, which showed a side of him that most had not had a chance to connect with.

Then residents paired up with staff and each shared a story. Again, the residents expressed how nice it was for them to learn more about the staff member. One resident spoke to his newly assigned key worker (case manager) and subsequently shared that he had not been at all keen on the change, but this paired activity meant he learnt things about his new worker that changed his mind. The pairs then identified the key qualities demonstrated in helping their friend.

This provided a natural sequel to identifying some of their strengths (whereas if we had asked them outright an initial question on their strengths, the responses would have been much more limited). From the staff point of view, they could choose the stories they wanted to share, which needed to be authentic but which didn’t make them feel that they had crossed any personal or professional boundaries.

Having sown some seeds amongst the residents, invitations for the two days were then sent out to those likely to be interested. Eight to twelve residents usually attended. Some of them would often leave early, having concluded that this approach was not for them. We emphasised that their presence was voluntary. However, the rest all participated fully throughout the two-day programme.

Some key Benefits to Clients of Working in an Appreciative Way

AI’s emphasis on strengths offers clients an alternative way of thinking, and a way of moving beyond their painful past. They don’t need to feel as though they are a “problem” the service is addressing. Rather, they are individuals with resources of their own. This helps them consider their strengths; it helps them generate a viable vision for their next step, and identify potential sources of help. It supports and enhances their resilience to deal with what life may bring (and in their chaotic lifestyles this is very valuable). The reflective practice it encourages gives clients a tool to process emotions and deal with times when life doesn’t seem to go how they want it to. There are parallels here with the work described in many other chapters.

Leo Richardson developed a questionnaire to collect qualitative information on the AI pilot in conjunction with the support staff at King George’s hostel. Using a semi-structured format, he asked open questions about the use of AI and its beneficial outcomes, to elicit their personal views and experience of the AI intervention. The interviews were carried out by support workers involved in the project at King George’s Hostel, and notes written up in case study format.

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