In Canada where I work, we celebrate National Social Workers Month in March. The week it is celebrated can differ depending on the province you live in and this year we celebrated National Social Workers Month from March 3-9.
Don't worry when you are not recognized but strive to be worthy of recognition - Abraham Lincoln
At my particular agency we were provided with generous breakfasts and lunches, a thank you letter from management and a gift. It was a week whereby fellow social co-workers and I were made to feel special. Non-social workers in the office told us how important our work is, how often what we do is challenging and that there is often little reward in it. I can agree to that.
There is no greater joy nor greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone's life. - Mary Rose McGeady.
I know at this time various associations of social work put out press releases about the importance of social workers and the social work causes that they are finding of importance. And then just as quickly as the week begins, it ends. Our stomachs are fuller, as well as are self esteem and egos. And then we move on to the next holiday or work celebration.
Dare to reach out your hand into the darkness. to pull another hand into the light. - Normal B. Rice
What lingers on my mind is the impact that social workers have had in the past, and what role we want to take on in the future. Do we want to continue being invisible as we seem to be compared to other helping professionals? But by our very nature, a large number of us are not instigators so how can great change happen then?
When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid. - Audre Lorde
And what positive changes are we implementing in our own workplace? Are we encouraged to be social justice activists within our own agencies, and greater community as a whole? Or will our intuitive be punished?
As long as I can conceive something better than myself I cannot be easy unless I am striving to bring it into existence or clearing the way for it. - George Bernard Shaw
I would say it depends on the agency you work for and how much the profession of social work is valued by management. To some agencies having a social worker or social workers on staff is a necessary evil as it is part of a forced mandate. Then there are other agencies where the role and duties of a social worker is valued. For each of you social workers reading this post, the environment that you practice social work every day will be different. Some of you may struggle against larger hurdles - and you may even live in fear because of your job.
Let no feeling of discouragement prey upon you, and in the end you are sure to succeed. - Abraham Lincoln
But please remember, you are a part of a larger community within your province/state/territory. There is a world of us social workers joined with the common goals of fighting against poverty, injustice, inequality, violence and oppression - and all in the effort of making lives better for those in need.
The probability that we mail fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just. - Abraham Lincoln
Happy National Social Workers Month my friends and keep on fighting the good fight!
Patti
Nothing will divert me from my purpose. - Abraham Lincoln
