What happens when your basic needs aren’t met for weeks, months, or years? For many rural residents, that question isn’t hypothetical. It’s a lived reality.

You’ve probably heard the story of the Welfare Queen, whether you know it or not. She’s a woman who has multiple children, with multiple men, and relies on the government to support all of them.  She is relishes in each new pregnancy because that means more money for her. She spends her money frivolously and lavishes her family with meals of lobster and steak. We all “know” this woman and yet she doesn’t really exist.

Their research highlights something many of us in care-centered professions intuitively know: the environments we work in matter, and our relationships with the community we seek to serve can significantly shape our professional (and personal) well-being.

The word “boundaries” has become a buzzword in the wellness space, especially across social media. However, it’s often misunderstood or misused.

For those in social services, helping others meet their basic needs can be incredibly fulfilling—and equally exhausting.

Organizations dedicated to meeting the tangible needs of people—whether focused on housing, food, spirituality, or other essentials—often find the work feels never-ending.