This case study examines the institutional experience of a user of a temporary shelter for the homeless. The focus of the study is on the clients' perceptions of their own dignity. It aims to provide a perspective on what is worth reflecting on the crisis in social work or what pathways can be seen to move towards a more professional values-based social work. The fundamental purpose and essence of social work is the protection of human dignity, especially for individuals, groups and communities at high risk of exclusion. In this paper, I intend to show how easily services, institutions and professionals can become partners in the violation of dignity, even though their function is to protect it.