Did you know March is Social Work Month?  We asked the social workers at Hope Cottage to reflect on their passion for the social work profession.

Kathryn Sherwood, Pregnancy and Parenting Case Manager at Hope Cottage, eloquently summarizes the power of social work when she exclaimed:

“What I enjoy most about being a social worker is knowing that I have impacted someone’s life, even if it’s only in a small way and only for a moment. There are so many problems in the world and to some extent we’re all broken human beings just trying to find our way in the world.  I’m honored to be a small part that helps put some of the broken pieces back together.”

With this powerful statement, we invite you to learn more about social work through the eyes and experiences of our social workers.

Why did you become a social worker?

“Our time on earth isn’t supposed to be measured on how much we can get but how much we can give.”

“I’ve always felt like mercy and compassion are two of my greatest gifts. Social work allows me to work with all sorts of people, including children and adults, with the ultimate hope of making a positive impact in their lives.”

“The field of social work offers a range of opportunities for both the social worker and the people they serve. As a social worker I’ve been blessed to serve clients from infancy to retirement age.”

“I always knew I wanted to be involved in helping people improve their lives. During a part time job, I witnessed a group of three children being told they were going into foster care. This experience sticks out to me, because I remember seeing the scared looks on these siblings’ faces as they realized they weren’t going home with their parents that night. I’ve always want to be someone that people feel they can trust and turn to when they need help or just someone to listen.”

What skills are needed to be a good social worker?

“An open mind, resilience, and compassion”

“Great social workers have the heart of a teacher by equipping their clients with the tools to help themselves.”

“Part of being a good social worker is the ability to motivate your clients so they have the strength and courage to harness their individual self-determination. It also means being there for our clients in the moment of crises and empowering them with the skills and beliefs they need to continue their lives without you.”

“First, you must feel passionately about the work you do, whatever that work might be. Second, you have to set boundaries and maintain realistic expectations.”

“There has to be a line between your clients’ lives and your own life. I have realized that I can have an impact on someone’s life, but I can’t fix them.”

“One must be a good listener and learn to be quiet at the appropriate time.”

“Assessment, observation, flexibility, self-awareness, critical thinking, active listening, as well as verbal and written communication”

What do you enjoy most about being a social worker?

“The opportunity to help people meet their needs and goals in life is my favorite part of social work. It is not a duty, but a delight to serve others.”

“Having practiced in the social work field for over twenty years, the most rewarding aspect for me is knowing that I have provided my clients with a feeling of assurance.  No two situations are the same and every client’s journey is different, but my goal is always the same: to provide clients with support, education, and resources so that they can find a sense of peace in their hearts, an assurance that they are moving in the right direction.”

“I’ve learned that when someone tells you their story they are letting you into their world and that is a privilege. I always strive to encourage them, build up their self-esteem, and help them value their skills and abilities to feel like a competent individual able to change their own lives.”

“I love being able to see the successes in people’s lives.”

“While a social worker has to realize you can’t fix the entire world’s problems, if you can touch at least one person’s life- that is what counts.”

“Leaving people in a better place than you met them.”

“Watching people succeed in meeting their needs and sometimes even their dreams.”

Thank you social workers everywhere and special thanks to the Hope Cottage Social Work staff!

Hope Cottage is the oldest nonprofit, non sectarian adoption agency in Dallas. Since 1918 Hope Cottage has been building and nurturing strong families through counseling, education and adoption services.

If you have questions about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 214.526.8721.

If you are a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy and would like to talk to someone about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 1.800.944.4464 or 214.404.4546.