By: Breanna McMenamin 12/09/2024

Those issues are too big. What transformative steps can we take now?

If you are anything like me, you will probably get overwhelmed by the idea of abolishing any industrial complex. But the important thing to remember is that transformative justice takes shape in any action big or small that diminishes the power or control of the industrial complex. So there are still some many steps we can take now to make non profits safer for their target population. 

In this project, I will be focusing on the changes staff can do to be aware of and control their saviorism. Staff in any nonprofit need to focus more on liberatory harm reduction which Shira Hassan defines the practices individuals take to increase their own safety and personal accountability and to build deep relationships. It is rooted in empowerment and is survivor centered. It is about asking people who are struggling what they want and respecting their wishes. It is about creating a community for them to connect with. It is about discovering the root cause of the issue and not only treating the wounds (Hassan, 18). 

One of the ways we can mitigate staff saviorism is through circles. These circles are guided conversations that allow for open communication between staff. Hopefully, with this increase of information, staff will be able to hold each other accountable for the ways their staff saviorism comes out.

Intentions of this circle:

This circle is meant to give staff at Hesed House a glimpse into my experience recognizing the non-profit industrial complex and the ways I have been complicit in it as a staff member. It is supposed to highlight what the nonprofit industrial complex is and the overwhelming issues that come with it while staff engaging in the circle take time to consider specific ways it affects their roles in Hesed House. It is also meant to give concrete small transformative steps all staff members can do now to better serve our guests. This circle is specific to Hesed House, however can be a good framework to apply to other nonprofits. 

Circle 1: An introduction to the NPIC and Saviorism 

Specialized for Hesed House Staff 

Written for Moderator: Breanna McMenamin 

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Rules of the circle: 

The moderator of the circle should take 5-10 minutes to go over these rules to the circle and ask the participants to suggest other rules to add. This should allow all people to feel safe and allow them to share more. 

• Rule 1: be as honest as possible and be open to the questions asked 

• Rule 2: be respectful to others and their opinions 

• Rule 3: remember that we all have our biases and that those biases will affect the way we and others answer their questions 

• Rule 4: this is not a place to condemn others, but instead a place to understand ourselves and our impact more 

• Rule 5: make sure that we are not listening to tear down an argument or opinion we don't agree with but instead are listening to understand someone and their perspective 

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Intention of the circle: 

• This circle is meant to give staff at Hesed House a glimpse into my experience recognizing the non-profit industrial complex and the ways I (Breanna McMenamin) have been complicit in it as a staff member. It is supposed to introduce what the nonprofit industrial complex is and the overwhelming issues that come with it while staff engaging in the circle take time to consider specific ways it affects their roles in Hesed House. It is also meant to give concrete small transformative steps all staff members can do now to better serve our guests. 

• There should be other circles developed to dive into the specifics of transformative justice and more ways to introduce it into  

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Section 1: What is the non-profit industrial complex?  

• NPIC is described as a “system of relationships” between nonprofits, foundations that fund them, the local, state, and federal government, and “the owning classes” (Hayssen). This relationship creates a strict system of control and force that ultimately hurts the people the non-profit is trying to help. 

• Even non-profits are stuck in a capitalist society that is affected by systemic racism, sexism, ableism, and so much more.  

• Non-profits fill a huge gap in the United States and “with more than 1.5 million nonprofit organizations registered with the Internal Revenue Service in 2016” (Ram Bo). 

Questions to follow 

• Where have you seen examples of the nonprofit industrial complex? 

• How does this show up at Hesed House? 

My examples to add 

• Control and saviorism 

• Restraints due to government funding 

• Who is allowed to stay 

• Punitive Nature 

• Keep so many people safe in a small space. Our method of safety has been through control.  

• Punishment to regulate behavior: 3 days out for violence. 

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Section 2: Those issues are huge. What steps can we take now 

• If you are anything like me, you will probably get overwhelmed by the idea of abolishing any industrial complex. But the important thing to remember is that transformative justice takes shape in any action big or small that diminishes the power or control of the industrial complex. So there are still some many steps we can take now to make non profits safer for their target population.  

• In this circle, I will be focusing on the changes staff can do to be aware of and control their saviorism. Staff in any nonprofit need to focus more on liberatory harm reduction which Shira Hassan defines the practices individuals take to increase their own safety and personal accountability and to build deep relationships. It is rooted in empowerment and is survivor centered. It is about asking people who are struggling what they want and respecting their wishes. It is about creating a community for them to connect with. It is about discovering the root cause of the issue and not only treating the wounds (Hassan, 18). 

Questions:  

• How would you define staff saviorism? 

• In what ways can saviorism come into play in Hesed House? What are some ways you have seen, or you have done yourself? 

• How does trauma and ego play into staff saviorism? 

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Section 3: What is staff saviorism and what can we do to prevent it? 

• Staff saviorism occurs when staff use their inherent power and status to pressure guests into actions when they are not ready for or might not want to take. 

• Good intentions aside, it is easy for people who control the power and resources to slip into mindsets of “we have what you need, so we’ll make the choices for you.” To call it a shame would be putting it lightly, since the services, advocacy, and policy levers that white-led nonprofit organizations champion as “the” solutions can maintain status quo incrementalism without addressing root inequities () 

• To Achieve Equity and Inclusion, Nonprofits Must Listen to the Communities They Serve 

• We need to understand that everyone’s path with homelessness, addiction, mental health, domestic affairs are unique. Since they are unique, the people we are serving should have a role in their recovery. 

• Buffet method, Shira Hassan 

• The buffet method is a method of liberatory harm reduction that honors the uniqueness of people’s situations and allows them to be a part of their recovery 

• Instead of one-size fits all models like abstinence or 12-step programs, the buffet method lays out many different options and allows the individual to walk into the buffet and pick from the various options. This allows them to pick a recovery that fits them. 

• Find a page number from the book 

Questions:  

• What are different ways we can honor liberatory harm reduction and self-determination at Hesed House? 

• How can self-determination help people get out of rough situations? 

• How can we foster self-determination in our guests? 

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Section 4: In what ways can we support our guests better and walk with them more? 

• Listening is an essential part of self-determination for our guests. If you do not allow them to advocate for what they want and need, you risk pushing something on them that they don’t want. An easy way to listen is also to ask questions of our guests aimed for self-determination. For instance, “How can I help you attain your goals? What goals do you have for your time at Hesed House? Do you need any specific resources?” These are all good open-ended questions that provide the space for guests to think for themselves 

• It is important to remember that industrial systems are all about control and limiting self-determination. Most of our guests have felt like they have no control of theirsThis makes self-determination a HUGE part of transformative justice and is a way we can all push back on the non-profit industrial system. 

• By listening and instilling self-determination, it can allow guests to trust staff members more and create a safer environment.  

Questions 

• How has self-determination helped you with problems in your life before? 

• Remember back to your teenage years when there were a lot of things your parents controlled. How would that lack of control make you feel during a difficult time? 

• What are some ways you plan on using self-determination practices at Hesed House? 

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Conclusion: 

• Thank the group for their time and input 

• Restate the intention and the impact small changes to the way we staff can help our guests feel more empowered and take control of their own lives. 

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Works Cited 

Hassan, Shira, et al. Saving Our Own Lives: A Liberatory Practice of Harm Reduction. Haymarket Books, 2022. pp 20.   

Hayssen, Sophie. “What’s Wrong with the Nonprofit Industrial Complex?” Teen Vogue, 7 Sept. 2022, www.teenvogue.com/story/non-profit-industrial-complex-what-is. Accessed 08 Dec. 2024. 

Ram Bo, Kaitlyn. “Nonprofits Must Listen with Their Ears, Not with Their Eyes (SSIR).” To Achieve Equity and Inclusion, Nonprofits Must Listen to the Communities They Serve, 17 May 2021, ssir.org/articles/entry/nonprofits_must_listen_with_their_ears_not_with_their_eyes. Accessed 08 Dec. 2024.