Social workers are society’s safety net. Indelibly embedded in nearly every facet of the human experience, social work is a vital and far-reaching profession that plays an essential role in supporting individuals, families and communities.
In recognition of the National Association of Social Workers’ (NASW) Social Work Month — a time traditionally reserved for celebrating the contributions and dedication of social workers across the nation — Stony Brook’s School of Social Welfare hosted its fourth annual luncheon March 24 to honor the individuals across Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook University and the Long Island State Veterans Home (LISVH) who step into life’s most complex and challenging moments to offer light, guidance and hope.
Shari Miller, dean of the School of Social Welfare, welcomed attendees and emphasized social work’s role in uplifting individuals and communities, defending dignity and rights, and transforming systems for a just society. She also underscored the importance of connection and collaboration in social work.
“Thank you all for the many ways you embody and live the values of social work each and every day, whether it’s through your teaching, your research or the work you do in practice, all of it advances dignity,” said Miller. “It also advances equity and care in ways that matter deeply and in ways that reverberate.”
The theme of this year’s Social Work Month is “Uplift, Defend and Transform.”
“This theme speaks to the full arc of our work, how we uplift individuals, communities and groups, how we defend dignity and rights, and how we help to transform systems in pursuit of a more just and humane society,” said Miller. “We should acknowledge this every day, but Social Work Month gives us this sanctioned moment to pause and recognize both the impact and the purpose of what you all do.”
LeighMarie Regan, the assistant director for alumni engagement at Stony Brook, expressed gratitude for the work of social workers, highlighting her personal lifelong connection to the field through her mother.
“The field of social work is very near and dear to my heart; my mom has been a social worker for as long as I’ve been alive,” said Regan. “I know the hard work that goes into this profession; I see it day in and day out. At 70 years old, she’s still working and helping people. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for everything that you do, and I’m so happy to celebrate this here at Stony Brook.”
“We look forward to spending time with our Social Work colleagues every year to celebrate our profession,” added Lisa Cirami, director of Social Work Services, LISVH. “Taking a little time to connect reminds us of where we started and the visions that we strive to achieve in our work. The Social Workers at LISVH appreciate the collaboration to ‘Uplift, Defend and Transform’ and we are proud to be a part of the Stony Brook University community.”
“At its core, social work is about connection, collaboration and coming together to do good work,” said Miller. “It’s about showing up for individuals, for families, for groups, for communities, for organizations, for society, for the earth, and for each other, especially in moments of great complexity and epic challenge. So this commitment to ‘Uplift, Defend and Transform’ feels particularly meaningful right now. As dean of this school, I have the honor and privilege of being continually inspired by this community’s expertise, compassion and shared sense of responsibility to something much larger than ourselves. Every day, it impresses me and fills me with enormous appreciation and gratitude. So thank you all for all that you do.”
The event was co-sponsored by the School of Social Welfare and Stony Brook’s Alumni Relations Office.
— Robert Emproto
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