For over a century, social workers have continuously impacted those in-need, making our nation a more equitable and inclusive place. March is National Social Work Month, a time to recognize the dedication of social workers and the positive changes they implement with individuals, families, groups, and communities. As an organization founded in social work and rooted in supportive initiatives, Oaks Integrated Care believes social work is essential to community well-being.
Introduced in 1898 at Columbia University, social work brings social problems to the forefront of the public agenda and addresses the overall needs of the people. Throughout history, social workers have fought for the rights of people of color, advocated for safer workplaces, raised awareness for mental health services, and so much more. With more than 700,000 professional social workers employed in the United States, social work is one of the fastest growing and much-needed professions.
Today, social workers pave the way for organizations like Oaks who serve individuals and communities through quality health and social services. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) selected “Social Workers Are Essential” as the theme for this year’s Social Work Month, a statement that Oaks proudly supports. Social Workers have always been essential and continuously prove their dedication throughout the Coronavirus pandemic. Oaks employs trauma-informed social workers throughout our organization who make a difference every day.
“I have seen our social workers truly embracing our core values of social justice, the dignity of others, and service by prioritizing the needs of our communities,” shared Michael D’Amico, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Oaks Vice President, about the importance of social workers. “The pandemic has been a reminder of who we are and what is most important about what we do as social workers.”
Our nation needs social workers, more now than ever-before, as we address the societal challenges such as systemic racism and COVID-19. Throughout these difficult times, social workers are trained to guide individuals to necessary resources and resolve conflicts in the community. They are a crisis-ready workforce, essential to making our society a better and more equitable place for all.
When discussing what brings him inspiration as a social worker, Charles Graham, Oaks Director of Children’s Mobile Response and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, explained, “It is the smiles on people’s faces. Even with a mask, we can see the smiles. In this difficult time, the positive comments and feedback go a long way.”
