Today is World Social Work Day, a day to highlight the role and contribution of social workers in providing services to the public. As a profession that focuses on helping to enhance the collective well-being, social work plays a large role at the Shine Foundation. There are numerous volunteers within our network, as well as staff, who have a social work background, as well as professional social workers who work both directly and indirectly with Shine to help brighten young futures.
Social workers play a major role in the referral process for Shine Programs - meeting with young people and their families, often being their first connection with Shine and encouraging them to apply to have their customized experience fulfilled.
“Without social workers, a lot of youth that would potentially qualify for a Shine Experience would get overwhelmed in all the paper work and the treatment schedules and it would get lost in the process,” says Krista Minnice, National Program Manager for Shine. “Social workers help to keep the importance of Shine's mission front and center, not only with the families but with the medical team that cares for these children as well.”
Shine regularly takes on student volunteers and interns to help with our mission. Libby Wright is a 3rd Year Bachelor of Social Work student a Kings University College at Western University, currently doing her practicum at Shine. Joining us in the office since January, Libby has been involved in a quality assurance project, providing an impartial third-party between applicants and Shine to assure the best possible Shine Experience.
“As a student, I am building the foundational communication, interviewing and evaluation skills required to be an effective social worker. Talking to diverse individuals across Canada, I have gained valuable knowledge about the helping relationship as it relates to each individual. My favorite part about working at the Shine Foundation is hearing the wonderful stories families, volunteers and young people have about their experience with Shine.”
Without social workers, Shine wouldn’t be able to serve as many young people as we do each year so to all of you from all of us, thank you for helping make Shine Experiences a reality.
