FORT CAMPBELL, Ky., March 8, 2012--According to the National Association of Social Workers, "The primary mission of social work is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic needs of all people, especially the most vulnerable."
It is for this reason, and many others, that the 2012 theme for National Professional Social Work Month is "Social Work Matters."
During the month of March, there will be events around the installation to recognize the social workers of Fort Campbell and their contributions to the lives of Soldiers and their Families.
"Social workers are integrated into several levels within the military," said Lt. Col. Alyson Fellner, chief of Fort Campbell's Department of Social Work. "We're in the hospital, the WTB, ACS…I'm not sure if people really know the depth or width of where we are. If you think of an entity that deals with people, we're there."
To generate awareness about the reaches of social work on post, information areas will be set up at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital.
"Every Friday from 9 until 2, we'll have tables set up at the hospital with information regarding social workers and the things we do on the installation for the Soldiers and Family members," said Marianne Erdman, a Family advocacy specialist at Fort Campbell's Army Community Service.
In keeping with their desire to help people at all times, the social workers are including donation buckets at the information centers for two shelters: Sanctuary, Inc. of Hopkinsville and Urban Ministries SafeHouse of Montgomery County.
"We'll be collecting donations for them this month and presenting it them to thank them for their help with our Soldiers and Family members," said Fellner.
Scheduled events include a fun run/walk March 20 at BACH.
"That's going to begin at 3 p.m.," said Erdman. "We're going to have a .8-mile walk around the hospital, followed by a cake cutting ceremony. It's just to recognize the social workers on the installation."
For Phalecian Rawlins, a trainer at ACS, the best recognition for her work comes from the feedback she receives from the people she tries to help.
"I enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that one Family, one Soldier may have benefitted from the information that we present," said Rawlins. "Often, we don't get any feedback, so we're unaware of whether the information was effective. When we do receive it, I appreciate that. It means a lot to me."
"We generally will keep low profiles, but we're diligently serving the Soldiers and Family members of the installation," said Erdman. "We're not out there saying 'Hey, look at us,' we're out there saying 'Hey, look at you.' We're empowering people."
For more information about local social work awareness, log on to www.fortcampbellmwr.com/acs. To learn about the national campaign, log on to the National Association of Social Workers website at www.socialworkers.org/pressroom/swmonth.
Related Links:
Find Fort Campbell on Facebook!
Don't miss Fort Campbell's ACS on Facebook.
Social Sharing