National Association of Social Workers’ Post

#NASW SPS Webinar: January 29, 1-2 pm ET - Addressing Food Insecurity: A Community Approach; CEs: 1 Social Work Contact Hour. As the liaison between the home, school, and community, two school social workers were able to leverage community partnerships to increase access to food resources for families within a large suburban school district. All food-security initiatives were located in different areas within the school district to accommodate the diverse needs of different areas. This webinar will discuss food insecurity initiatives that were piloted before the pandemic, during the pandemic, and post-pandemic and the community resources that aided in these efforts. The benefits of food insecurity initiatives community will be discussed in addition to best practices that maintain community partnerships and monitor community needs. https://buff.ly/3S4rshq

Our very own Leslie G. sheds light on the pressing issue of child hunger in NYC in a recent op-ed featured in amNewYork. As #NYC schools switch to summer break, many kids experience reduced access to nutritious meals, leaving families to face the challenge of providing additional meals for their children who heavily rely on free school meals.   In a city where 23.5% of children live in food-insecure households—equating to over 416,000 kids struggling to access sufficient nutrition—support from food banks, summer programs, and soup kitchens becomes crucial.   Despite the availability of resources, many eligible children miss out due to a lack of awareness or accessibility. It's imperative to enhance access to food assistance programs and resources, like those offered by Food Bank in partnership with community allies.   Dive into the full article to discover how we can unite in the fight against child hunger in NYC: https://bit.ly/4bQLmTT

🌞 Summer Meal Program Awareness 🌞 As the school year winds down, let's ensure that no child goes hungry during the summer months! Did you know that during the summer, many children who rely on school meals face food insecurity? Let’s raise awareness and ensure that no child goes hungry during the break! Here are some ways we can make a difference: 1. Spread the Word: Share information about Summer Food Service Programs (SFSP) and Summer EBT with your community. Let parents know where they can find no-cost, healthy meals with this link! → https://ow.ly/OHQ350RPpxB 2. Use Social Media: Post details about your program on your district's social media platforms! 📱 3. Community Partnerships: Collaborate with local organizations, schools, and community centers to promote summer meal sites with fun activities and events! 4. Summer Grocery Benefits: Starting in summer 2024, eligible families can receive Summer EBT benefits to purchase food during the summer. Let’s ensure families know about this valuable resource #SummerMeals #NoKidHungry #ChildNutrition

Community advisory councils are often required (by funders or government regulators), or added on when projects don't achieve expected outcomes. Having a highly effective community engagement model is rare and difficult to accomplish. Here's one example of several stakeholders coming together to make it happen.

The British philosopher John Gray wrote, “We are who we are because of the places in which we grow up, the accents and friends we acquire by chance, the burdens we have not chosen but somehow learn to cope with. Real communities are always local-places in which people have put down roots and are willing to put up with the burdens of living together..." Places, roots, accents, friends, loyalties, caring, burdens & responsibilities. An authentic & organic community is held together by a set of first principles or virtues and values just like a built structure is supported by a firm foundation, by brick and mortar, stone & concrete, by sets of columns & beams etc. In the case of the physical structure, remove the supports and the structure will come tumbling down, collapsing under its own weight into a pile of rubble. The same is true of organic communities which are also like structures, built with effort, care, love and compassion over long spans of time, held in place by the firm supports of human values and the glue of human relationships. Without love, caring and compassion, without commitment, without the willingness to shoulder duties & responsibilities, local communities cannot survive, cannot thrive. Keep up the good work.

From educational institutions to community safety initiatives and health foundations, it is our privilege to give back each year, as a gesture of appreciation and humility towards those who selflessly sacrifice to educate, protect, heal and serve others. #giveback #payitforward #sitedevelopment https://ow.ly/wXaH50QQyvl

From educational institutions to community safety initiatives and health foundations, it is our privilege to give back each year, as a gesture of appreciation and humility towards those who selflessly sacrifice to educate, protect, heal and serve others. #giveback #payitforward #sitedevelopment https://ow.ly/wXaH50QQyvl

Discover how the Sifton Family Foundation is empowering communities through the transformative power of food education.🌱🍴 Learn more about their impactful initiative, "Learn to Grow; Grow to Give", and explore the full article here: https://bit.ly/3JAAD48

Feed My Starving Children/CGI Plymouth Meeting PA Office On May 17th, an event that will resonate in the hearts of many took place, thanks to the organizational prowess of John Blazosky. In a remarkable display of community and corporate synergy, team members united with our client and other vendor partners at Del Val University. Our collective aim? To strike a blow against the scourge of hunger affecting children across the globe. The day was marked by an atmosphere of hope and determination. Together, we channeled our efforts into a cause greater than ourselves, transforming despair into hope and hunger into satisfaction. The results of our collaboration were nothing short of inspiring: 433 Boxes Packed 93,528 Meals Provided 256 Children will now have meals every day for an entire year. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent lives touched, futures brightened, and the spirit of humanity at its best. Did You Know? Hunger claims the lives of nearly half of all children under 5 years old worldwide. It’s a harrowing reality that underscores the importance of initiatives like ours. The impact of our event is a testament to what can be achieved when we come together for a common cause. As we reflect on our success, let’s carry forward the momentum. The fight against child hunger is ongoing, and it’s a battle we are committed to. Let’s continue to make a difference, one meal, one child at a time. Together, we can turn the tide against hunger.  💙 #FMSC, #cgiforgood #johnblazofsky  

Have you ever thought about how vital first aid knowledge can be, especially for children? At CMS s.r.o., we believe in supporting initiatives that make a real difference. That's why we’re proud to sponsor an important publication by the Czech Red Cross, "First Aid for Children." This educational material provides crucial information on child safety and emergency response. Partnering on this project aligns perfectly with our values of community responsibility and care, particularly when it comes to children's health. How do you support important causes in your community? Let’s discuss the impact of giving back!