Standing in the gap of every individual or family going through a difficult challenge in life – whether it’s poverty, addictions, abuse, domestic violence, grief and loss, early school drop outs, unemployment, disability, mental illness, discrimination or anything other social ill, – is a social worker waiting to help.
Through their commitment to bringing about positive social change, helping individuals of all ages thrive in their local environment and being an advocate for those who have lost their voice, social workers play a prominent role in improving the lives of those who need it most.
The Department of Social Development, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Transportation and Communication join with the rest of the world in observing the month of March, as National Professional Social Work Month. The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘The Power of social work: Making human connection in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ which focuses on the root of the social work practice that lays the foundation for our communities, people, groups and organizations for sustainable social development.
In commemorating this month, the Department will be hosting a series of events designed to spotlight the social work profession and to celebrate the valuable contributions they have made throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The following activities are scheduled to take place throughout the Islands:
- Give Back Day – Social Workers Community Cleanup Day
- Social Workers ‘Who We Are & What We Do’ Door to Door Campaign
- Dissemination of Pamphlets, Brochures, Handouts
- Social workers will be guest on Radio Talk Shows
- Social Workers Recognition within the TCIG Service (Government Press Release and Newspaper)
- Social Work Retreat
Hon. Vaden Delroy Williams, Minister of Home Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunication expressed his delight in sharing in the events marking Social Workers month, stating; “Our Social Workers play important roles in assisting our residents through the various social programs, you have made positive social changes, improved the lives of individuals and families and will continue to do more in the future.”
“Your unwavering commitment to the well-being of your clients here in TCI does not go unnoticed, there is no greater joy, nor greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone’s life. Continue in your pursuit and maintenance of human well-being, as you aim to maximize the development of human potential and fulfillment of human needs and do that of which you are so diligently called.”
“On behalf of the Government and people of the TCI we say thanks and we appreciate you.”