The 1990s saw massive cuts in funding to social services and a concurrent re-emergence of an individualism that focussed on self-sufficiency and personal autonomy. Within communities, individuals motivated by their personal desires for autonomy began to join forces and effect change from within. No longer was the state and its institutions automatically called upon to intervene and deal with social problems. In this new climate of change, it was imperative for social work professionals to re-examine and redefine their roles. The action or participatory research paradigm presented in this book offered them new tools to help individuals and communities help themselves. Translator Susan Usher was nominated for the Governor General's Award for Translation for this translation of Alary's Solidarités.About the Author: Jacques Alary was a professor at the School of Social Services at the University of Montreal, of which he was also the director for many years. Along with Jacques Beausoleil and Claude Larivière, he established GRARSPI (Groupe de recherche-action sur les réseaux de soutien et les pratiques institutionnelles/ Research-Action Group on Support Networks and Institutional Practices).