March is National Social Work Month
National Social Work Month is a time to celebrate the great profession of social work and those in the social services industry.
This month, we’re sharing all about the wonderful social workers and social service professionals at The Today Centre who have dedicated themselves to helping those experiencing family violence.
Our Family Violence Specialists (FVS) are a group of four social service professionals working directly with individuals who reach out for help or are referred to us by another service provider or organization.
We have five fantastic individuals on our Family Violence Specialist team and we’re so excited to feature them this month. Below are a bit of their stories and the inspirations they hold in continuing the impactful work they do.
Help us cheer them on together!
Meet our family violence specialist (FVS) team
Danielle (BSW, RSW)- She/Her
1.How long have you been connected with The Today Centre?
I’ve been connected to the social service field for about 8 years, starting as a volunteer with women’s shelters and the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE) and have been a Family Violence Specialist at The Today Centre for
2. What about The Today Centre drew you to work here?
I completed one of my Social Work practicums at The Today Centre and what really drew me to the work was the way that self-determination is honored in our work. When it comes to family violence, we hear a lot of stories about well-meaning supports pressuring folks to leave the relationship. At The Today Centre, we honor what folks want to see happen in their relationship and work collaboratively to share information and resources that enhance safety.
3. How do you see the impact of your work at The Today Centre?
I feel that I have done a good job when victim-survivors express that they feel heard or when a piece of information or resource is shared and a victim-survivor is empowered by the application of it.
serena (BSW, RSW)- She/her
1.How long have you been connected with The Today Centre?
I completed my practicum at The Today Centre back in January 2020. After COVID cut it short, I was hired on as an employee in July 2020. So around 3 years at The Today Centre, although I have lots of volunteer experience in social services prior to working here.
2. What about The Today Centre drew you to work here?
Because I completed my practicum here I knew that The Today Centre was a healthy organization to work at. I appreciate that our services are one-on-one work and being able to see the impact we’re making directly through the client. The way we approach our services here is also super flexible in meeting and serving the client’s needs, as we’re client-centered our focus is driven by what the client identifies in their sessions.
3. How do you see the impact of your work at The Today Centre?
It’s great to see over time how people feel more empowered and hopeful. Some people start off in such hopeless and uncertain situations and at The Today Centre we get to provide a safe space to share their story, and validation, which is so important because peoples’ experiences of abuse are often minimized. We also get to provide a reminder that they are not alone and that support is available. It’s rewarding to be part of peoples’ journeys and being able to honour their choice to seek to support.
Kerry (CYC Diploma)- She/Her
1.How long have you been connected with The Today Centre?
I have been in the social services field for about 16 years. I started my career working at the Terra Centre. Since then I have worked in home visitations, youth programming, and family violence, before coming to work at The Today Centre in March 2022.
2. What about The Today Centre drew you to work here?
One thing I really appreciate about The Today Centre is that we will serve anybody who has experienced family violence, as we don’t have any barriers or requirements to accessing services. We also don’t work in any niche beyond family violence and I find the work done here is something highly valuable and necessary in our community. Ultimately, I appreciate the people. That is why I do the work I do, why I enjoy being a supervisor, it’s because of the people I get to support, both clients and colleagues alike.
3. How do you see the impact of your work at The Today Centre?
As a supervisor, my job is to be here for the team and for the agency. I can see my impact when I have a revolving door and can’t get any of my paperwork done because there are things that need to be shared. By doing that and being a sounding board for others- my office has become a place someone feels comfortable being vulnerable in. Also, I get to do intake. I love being that warm voice on the other end of the phone when someone is reach out looking for help. I love the honour of hearing their story, especially since it takes SO MUCH courage to reach out.
Amanda (SDip, RSW)- She/her
1.How long have you been connected with The Today Centre?
I have been practicing social work since 2012, so 11 years. I started off my career in Elder abuse at the SAGE Safehouse and Seniors Protection Partnership. I have been with The Today Centre for 7 months now.
2. What about The Today Centre drew you to work here?
I was familiar with The Today Centre through my work at SAGE and had always had positive interactions and experiences with them. I had a lot of respect for how they carried themselves and the way the supported clients. Currently, I appreciate how The Today Centre is super mindful about supporting clients through a trauma-informed approach, there is flexibility in suiting the client’s needs and supporting them in working towards change, progress, and growth.
3. How do you see the impact of your work at The Today Centre?
At the end of the day when the client says they have felt heard and seen or even just says the words “thank you for listening”. We spend a lot of time wondering if we’ve said or done the right things in our sessions but really sometimes what really matters most to those we serve is that someone listened to them and gave them a space to feel safe in.
Kaitlin (B.A)- She/her
1.How long have you been connected to The Today Centre?
I have been working in the Family Violence Specialist role for just over 5 years since November 2017. However, I have been working in the social services field for 8 years, beginning my career in housing with Hope Mission.
2. What drew you to the role of the Family Violence Specialist?
When I was an outreach worker at a second stage shelter I was actually coming in about once a week to connect with clients that needed assistance, so I was meeting and working with the Family Violence Specialists even back then. With this connection I knew that The Today Centre was a great organization and a healthy organization to work for. Taking on the Family Violence Specialist role myself seemed like a natural transition for me since I was also pretty familiar with their work previously.
3. What would you say makes the FVS role unique?
I think what really makes us unique is that we work with people no matter what stage of the relationship they are at. We don’t require people to have left to offer them services. Many services require you to have left or to have the intention of leaving the situation, specifically if it requires some form of legal action like an Emergency Protection Order. But we also understand that leaving is a difficult decision and there are lots of reasons why people stay or go back like children, finances, love, religion, guilt, community pressure, etc. We’re also able to offer services in a timely matter, we don’t work on a waitlist.
A little about social work…
Who are social workers?
Social work is a dynamic field that started as a movement to reduce poverty and inequality.
Did you know that in Canada, social work began with volunteer home visitors who were driven to help vulnerable people, spread hope, and advocate for social justice? Social work has now evolved into an academic discipline and regulated profession based on theories of social work, social science, and the humanities.
They are regulated health professionals who work with individuals, families, groups, and communities to improve individual and collective well-being. These professionals have either a bachelor's degree in social work or a social work diploma. Through their schooling they will have obtained registered credentials by completing practicums, written and oral examinations, and become a member in an association of social workers.
what do social workers do?
Social workers serve people.
Social workers believe people are resourceful, resilient, and capable. Working in a variety of settings, social workers can help people attain physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. They also address broad social issues like oppression, discrimination, family violence, unemployment, and poverty.
They can and may do this in a variety of ways:
Therapy/Counselling
Social policy analysis
Community capacity building
Health promotion
Research
Collaboration with other professions
Assessments
Where do social workers work?
Social work can take place in person, virtually, or over the phone. You can find social workers in a variety of settings, including:
Advocacy Organizations
Child Welfare Settings
Community Health Centres
Consultation Agencies
Correctional Facilities
Employee Assistance
Family Courts
Government Agencies
Hospices
Human Rights Organization
Libraries
Private Practices
School Boards and more!
what are the core values of social workers?
Canadian social workers share the following core values:
Respect the inherent dignity and worth of persons
Pursuit of social justice
Service to humanity
Integrity in professional practice
Confidentiality in professional practice
Competence in professional practice
Source: Canadian Association of Social Workers