Executive Director’s Message

DESK OF NASW- NJ’s Executive Director

Jennifer Thompson, MSW Friends & Colleagues: Happy Social Work Month! This month celebrates all that you bring to the clients, organizations, and communities in which you serve.

That’s an important word: “serve.” Social work is a profession of service. I believe we are called to this profession by that desire to help others, to give back—to be of service. I see that year-round, in all that you do. This year I have been fortunate to visit many of our members and learn about the work you do in your respective spaces. I have spent time within large organizations serving immigrant communities. I have visited addiction treatment centers and mental health organizations where you are serving clients at critical moments of crisis. I have shared meals at drop-in centers where you are serving our homeless community members. I have seen educators serving students daily.

In every space, in every way, you give of your time and talent to strengthen our communities.

As your membership organization, you trust that NASW will also be of service to you—our frontline warriors—making your roles easier, offering support as you navigate licensing, seek continuing education, and sort through complex legal issues. You rely on us to be your advocates for professional issues as well as advocates for the issues that impact our broader community.

I hope you’ll agree that we do so—and that we’re always seeking ways to do more. This year we’ve launched more free continuing education programs for members, offered more discounts on products and programs than we ever have before, and have responded to your desire for more full-day programs such as our upcoming Private Practice Symposium 2.0 (see pg. 21). We’re also busy building technology toolkits and partnerships that will support your work in new and innovative ways.

This month, we’re making this issue of Focus available to our entire social work community—and we invite non-members to connect with the wonderful unit events, programs, and advocacy that we do yearround. It is my hope that you will (like I did) join or return to NASW to take advantage of all the services we offer to you.

Like each of you, I was called to this profession—and the highlight of my career has been the opportunity to be of service to my friends and colleagues on the front lines. Your work humbles me, inspires me, and is the reason I believe we will overcome the adversity we face. I am grateful you choose NASW-NJ as your professional home and continue to give us the opportunity to be of service to you.

In gratitude, Jennifer Thompson