Social Work Week (SWW) is celebrated annually across Canada during the month of March. In Ontario, the first week of March marks the start of NSWW. Activities that occur during this time highlight the role and contribution of the profession in providing services to the public. Each year a theme is selected that reflects the ideals and values of social workers. 

OASW’s theme of the upcoming Social Work Week 2016, is: “Social Workers: Mobilizing Strengths in Individuals & Communities”.    

This theme was selected to highlight the significant role that social workers play in helping people improve the quality of their lives and achieve their goals. Dr. Betsy Clark, the former Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers in the United States (NASW), observed that: “The foundation for growth and change in any individual, family or community is existing strengths. Understanding and utilizing these strengths are essential to improving the emotional health and well-being of society. Social workers look for inherent strengths that can be used as a starting point for future growth”.  

Social workers recognize that people are experts about their own lives, and that the changes that they and their communities seek may take many forms. Essentially, social workers help people find solutions that are tailored to meet their unique needs and concerns.  

Social Work Week provides an opportunity each year for social workers to promote and celebrate their profession and the life-changing work that they champion in every community.  

For more information go to :  http://www.oasw.org/