It's no secret that life can often be difficult. People break down and families break up, and sometimes it feels as though we are utterly alone and helpless.
Whether connecting people with resources, protecting children and youth, advocating for the vulnerable, or counseling those in need of a sympathetic ear, social workers can make a world of difference.
"They really form a web of services that are available to some of the most vulnerable people in our province," said Lynn Tulloch, executive director of income assistance for Child and Family Services.
Andrea Brittin, executive director of service delivery, said there can be a misconception that social workers are only involved in the child welfare system, when in actuality, there are a variety of roles filled by social workers. She explained people don't necessarily need their Bachelor of Social Work, nor do they have to work for the Ministry, as there are a number of positions in the field, including those in community-based organizations.
March is known nationally as Social Work Month, and Social Work Week was celebrated in a number of communities, March 20 to 26.
The theme of the week in Saskatchewan this year was Social Workers for Dignity and Inclusion: Upholding Human Rights.
Locally, the Battlefords branch of the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers hosted a free luncheon for social workers in the community.
Donations were accepted for the Canadian Mental Health Association, who catered the lunch, and the community programming of Living Faith Chapel, where the luncheon was held.
Ailsa Watkinson, an associate professor at the University of Regina who worked for 12 years with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission and has co-edited and authored a number of books and articles, was scheduled to speak on the topic of social justice and vulnerable people in the justice system.
Unfortunately, winter driving conditions prevented Watkinson from travelling to North Battleford, and Jim Walls, past president of the Battlefords SASW, spoke instead.
"I had a really good introduction planned for Ailsa," joked Walls, saying Watkinson's absence put him on the spot.
But although Walls insisted Watkinson's talk would have been better, he still managed to engage the audience with an enlightening talk, considering the little time for preparation he was given.
Walls discussed how Canadians, when they think of human rights issues, often think of faraway places.
"We don't have to look that far," said Walls, pointing to several examples, including the poor quality of drinking water on First Nations reserves.
He said the political climate is shifting towards individualism versus the collective, and social programs are losing favour.
"The swing of the country is to the right," said Walls. "There are people who are being left behind and we need to be their voices when they can't be and help them when they can't."
Also during the luncheon, Dianne Lauritzen, president of Battlefords SASW presented long-time social worker Rick Felix with the 2011 Battlefords SASW Local Social Work Award of Recognition.
Lauritzen, who said she's had the privilege of working with Felix for about 20 years, said, "He has always treated others with dignity and respect, an example to me of how he lives the values of social work," adding Felix was often the first to arrive and last to leave the office.
Felix graduated with the University of Regina's first Bachelor of Social Work class in 1975, and since that time has worked off and on in the field of social work.
"As a true social worker, Rick often became frustrated with the bureaucracy of government agencies and how, at times, the programs meant to help people get in the way of helping those people," said Lauritzen. "He quit social services a couple of times, but his commitment to the profession continued to bring him back."
The majority of Felix's social work career was spent with Social Services, working in area such as family connections, child care and young offender programs.
"He has demonstrated advocacy for his clients in many ways," said Lauritzen, "respecting others' information and their right to make choices, while never judging them."
Felix was also a SASW member for eight years, serving as vice-president.
North Battleford mayor Ian Hamilton, who attended the event, said, "I'm certainly thankful for all the hard work these individuals do to build families and strengthen our community, the province and even the world."
Child and Family Services isn't the only social services agency in the Battlefords - Kanaweyimik Child and Family Services provides services to five First Nations communities surrounding the Battlefords.
Irene Tootoosis, executive director of Kanaweyimik, said the agency, which provides a number of programs - everything from addictions counselling to anger management - focuses and builds on people's strengths.
"If you have a strong individual, you'll have a strong family," said Tootoosis. "If you have strong families, you'll have stronger communities."
Tootoosis said one thing that sets Kanaweyimik apart is its focus on First Nations culture and ways of knowing, adding elders are incorporated in their programs.
"We are a culturally-based agency," she said. "That's part of our strength."
Other social agencies in the Battlefords include Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Battlefords Boys and Girls Club, United Way and Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre.
