Spirituality: A Source of Resilience for African American Women in the Era of Welfare Reform

Abstract

In this paper, the authors examine the meaning and role of spirituality in the lives of eight women of color, participating in a welfare-to-work program. Although largely ignored in social work practice in the context of welfare reform, these women indicate through in-depth interviews that spirituality is a vital source of resilience for them. They articulate their meaning of spirituality, spiritual practices, spiritual experiences with material hardships, and how spirituality helps them to cope with manifestations of poverty and welfare reform. The authors conclude that by building on the spiritual strengths of women of color, social workers can be supportive witnesses to peoples' ability to heal themselves, and appropriately respond to welfare reform.