World Social Work Day 2023 - Recognizing Social Workers at LAYC
March 21 marks World Social Work Day, part of a broader World Social Work Month as recognized by the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW). A simplified definition of the social work, as recorded by IFSW, is “a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people.” As shown below, this is just tip of the iceberg for what the noble profession of social work entails.
From housing to workforce, education to social services in general, the efforts of LAYC’s social work staff is critical to everything we offer. For this reason, we want to highlight the various perspectives from some of the social workers on LAYC’s staff. See their unedited responses below:
What inspired you to become a social worker? How has that evolved over time?
I was inspired to pursue social work to address the stigma that exists within marginalized communities around accessing mental health support. Now, with rising anxiety and depression rates among adolescents, it is crucial to discuss the benefits of mental health services and to increase the numbers of social workers in our field.
- Jennifer, LICSW, Clinical Supervisor, LAYC Social Services
I was inspired to be a social worker by a College Psychology Professor because I loved the field of Mental Health and wanted to become a therapist. Over time in the field, I have really come to learn the role that trauma plays in mental health. I have seen how almost everyone we work with is impacted by trauma, not just those who have an official "PTSD" diagnosis; but those with depression and anxiety as well. The work we do at LAYC with Trauma Focused CBT as an evidenced based practice to treat trauma and incorporating trauma informed services into all the therapeutic work we do is incredibly inspirational and is what has kept me here for 14 years.
- Jessica, LICSW, Senior Clinical Supervisor, LAYC Social Services
“It is crucial to discuss the benefits of mental health services and to increase the numbers of social workers in our field.”
What do most people NOT know about the field of social work?
Social work is an intersectional academic discipline and practice. Its goal is to attend to the needs of society and foment the individual and collective wellbeing from a micro, mezzo, and macro perspective. There are a variety of fields such as clinical, family based, community, administrative, policy, school based, child welfare, etc. There are different levels of licensure such as graduate social work and independent clinical social work. Social work is multidisciplinary which makes it a robust profession with fully competent and capable practitioners to promote social change, economic development, cultural cohesion, social empowerment, and liberation of people rights.
- Frania, LICSW, Social Worker, LAYC Housing Department
Most people don't know that Social Workers provide countless valuable services in many different areas of need. We have social workers that have served in congress, that write policy for the federal government. Social workers work in schools, in hospitals, nursing homes, shelters, prisons, substance use programs. They serve as therapists, as mentors, counselors, and case managers. Being a social worker can mean many different things, but the major part of being a social worker is serving a community that can benefit from support of someone who is invested in the work and the areas of need. I see being a social worker as a values system, rather than one job in particular.
- Anna, Clinical Supervisor, LAYC Social Services.
2021 Interview with WJLA where Elizabeth Mohler (Social Services Director) and Aldo Hurtado (Housing Director) discussed how LAYC adapted housing and social service delivery during the pandemic.
If you know a social worker, join us in thanking them today
and remembering the importance of the work they do every day.
