March is Social Work Month, a time to recognize the dedication and resilience of social workers who stand up for justice, advocate for the vulnerable, and create lasting change in communities. This year’s theme, "Compassion + Action," serves as a reminder that caring alone is not enough—true compassion requires action.
“As social workers, we live by these words,” Says Laura Taylor, MSW, LSW, Chief Program Officer at Central Jersey Family Health Consortium, “Social workers challenge oppressive systems, fight for human rights, and empower individuals and communities to thrive. Social work is a profession rooted in the commitment to individual well-being and broader social justice issues, where compassion and advocacy become the driving force for social change. This Social Work Month, I celebrate my fellow social workers who embody these values, and I recommit to standing up, speaking out, and transforming compassion into action for a more just world."
Central Jersey Family Health Consortium has several programs that utilize social workers to help bridge the gaps that exist between New Jersey’s families and the maternal health and family support systems. For many of our social workers, it is more than a profession—it is a calling.
" I'm a Community Alignment Specialist Supervisor with Connecting NJ and Family Connects NJ,” says Sarah Skrocki, LSW, “I've been working in the social work field now for about a decade. Being a social worker is a huge part of me; I've always wanted to have some type of impact as a person on the community. In my program, I work to connect the pieces of our system together as well as to those who could use the support. By navigating these systems, I help to create a maternal health space capable of supporting all parents. [This year’s] theme of Compassion + Action is particularly resonant for me. Without the compassion aspect of this work, we're left with motion that is unintentional and lost. Without the action component of our work, we're just left with nice words and space. In bringing these two things together, we can create a lasting impact on our community and our world."
For those who have dedicated decades to this field, the impact of social work is deeply personal and profoundly rewarding. Many of Central Jersey Family Health Consortium’s social workers work directly with families, often going into homes, making calls on the family’s behalf to clinics, services, and providers, and finding resources to fit their specific needs. These needs range all the way from housing, food and financial assistance to employment services to helping families navigate what to do when their child is experiencing developmental delays.
"I have been a social worker for almost 40 years! [What] I love the most about being a social worker is being able to connect and form relationships with individuals from so many varied backgrounds and circumstances.” gushes Julie Levitt Yates, LCSW, Service Coordinator, Mercer County Early Intervention at CJFHC, “I feel so very fortunate to have been able to work with so many individuals and families…In my current role as a service coordinator for the Early Intervention program, I need to be compassionate and resourceful in coordinating services for families struggling with the challenges for their children that are experiencing delays in their development.”
Social workers do not just care; they act. They listen, advocate, and intervene. They create pathways to resources, strengthen communities, and inspire change. This Social Work Month, let us celebrate the compassion and action that define this essential profession, and honor those who dedicate their lives to making the world a better place.
Thank you to all of our social workers, this month and every month we are so proud to have you serving our communities.
