Social Work Month 2021: Recognizing the valuable contributions and leadership of those in the field
March 2 – 8, 2021, is social work week in Canada. In fact, the whole month of March is recognized as Social Work Month. This annual celebration recognizes social workers’ valuable contributions towards strengthening the wellbeing of individuals and society.
This year, the theme for Social Work Week is You Are Not Alone.
Here at FIFSW, we know this to be true. Our Faculty’s success depends on the engagement and generous support of our alumni and partners. FIFSW’s highly applied approach to learning and research is rooted in partnerships with agencies and organizations across Toronto and beyond. This provides invaluable opportunities for our students to engage with and learn from experienced social workers and professionals who represent diverse communities and approaches to collaborative service.
In honour of Social Work Week, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for the significant contributions of our partners — not only to the education of our students, but to society at large.
This past year has presented significant challenges to all health and community services. Amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, continued systemic racism, and rising economic inequality, it has become clear that the need for culturally attuned social workers is more urgent than ever. Given these circumstances, we can’t overstate how truly grateful we are for these continued partnerships.
Our partners play a key role helping us prepare the next generation of social workers to responsibly respond to the changing needs of individuals and communities. Simultaneously, they continue to provide essential services, helping individuals, families, communities and systems address complex and changing needs. Taken together, your vast contributions have a positive effect on the wellbeing of society at large.
Social Work Month: What’s on this March
The month of March is full of events, days of recognition, and opportunities for advocacy. We will be updating the information below with new news and announcements over the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
Student events
FIFSW’s Graduate Student Association has a number of events and initiatives planned for social work week, including:
Mindfulness Meditation with Professor Ellen Katz
March 1, 12:15 pm EST
Holistic and Integrative Services Talk (featuring Indigenous Guest Speakers)
March 2, 12:15 pm EST
Virtual Zoom-ba Night with Mariana
March 2, 5:00 pm EST
Students will have received log in information for the events via email. Visit the GSA website for more information.
Lunch & Learn: Sheena’s Place
March 2, 12:00pm EST
Learn More
Alumni Events
The Successes and Challenges of BLOOMING
March 9, 6:30 – 8:00pm EST
Kay Roesslein and Jake Farr will discuss the creation and development of a cross-sectoral and collaborative newwork and two trans housing and support programs.
This event is open to the public. All are welcome.
Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW)
Every day in March from noon to 1:00pm EST, OASW is presenting seminars from practitioners, leaders and researchers on a variety of relevant topics to enhance your social work practice. > Click here to learn more.
For those active on social media, OASW also provides a list of downloadable resources for sharing. Tag your posts on social media with the hashtags #YouAreNotAlone.