Social work strives for innovation, connection and professionalism

The thematic session equips knowledge and skills for children raised at the Center.

The meeting to celebrate Social Work Day took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The delegates reviewed the traditions and good meanings of Vietnam Social Work Day; through many specific and practical activities and deeds, they contributed to honoring social workers. In recent times, those who have been attached to the social work profession in the city, with love and responsibility, have contributed to easing the pain, encouraging and promoting optimism and efforts to improve the lives of disadvantaged people. Mr. Ho Thanh Hai, Director of the City Social Work Center, confided: “Social work is not only a profession, but also a noble mission. The Center has been and is dedicated to carrying out its mission, constantly striving to innovate methods and models to improve the quality and efficiency of providing social work services in a professional manner”. With the main task of nurturing and caring for the subjects at the unit and providing social work services in the community, the Center has maintained and developed many social work models for each group of beneficiaries.

The social integration model aims to create a safe environment and comprehensive development for the group of children and adolescents raised at the Center until adulthood. Currently, 12 children are supported in management and provided with appropriate social work services, including: cultural education, care and periodic health check-ups, life skills training, occupational therapy training, and necessary legal aid.

Regarding the social work model in schools, in 2024, the Center coordinated to organize more than 20 specialized communication sessions on knowledge and life skills and 3 mock trials, with more than 1,500 students participating. The "highlight" of the model is 23 Pink Youth Clubs operating stably in junior high and high schools in the city, with over 1,000 members. The Club's Board of Directors maintains regular activities well, helping members update their knowledge and skills to adapt and defend themselves against unsafe situations and risks. The City Social Work Center provides activity materials, mobilizes support for learning tools, scholarships, food, etc. to create conditions for members to continue going to school. Nguyen Thi Thuy Hoa, a member of the Youth Club of Thanh An town, Vinh Thanh district, said: "Participating in club activities, I get to meet friends, learn a lot of useful knowledge and skills, serving my studies, daily life and self-protection."

At the same time, the Center focuses on improving the quality of social work model activities at 6 hospitals in the city. Social work staff approach, support necessities, cash, connect and access appropriate public services so that patients and their families in difficult circumstances can best enjoy the prescribed policies; be a "bridge" between philanthropists and difficult circumstances in need of support. At the same time, pay attention to organizing training and study tours to improve the capacity and effectiveness of the network of volunteers and social work staff in the hospital. At Can Tho City Oncology Hospital, the Social Work Department arranges staff to directly talk to and understand the circumstances of patients, promptly propose support to leaders; organize fundraising activities to support patients in difficult circumstances: mobilize philanthropists, place charity boxes, art exchange programs; build and train a network of social work volunteers, etc.

Resource connection work also achieved remarkable results. Last year, the City Social Work Center cooperated and directly implemented 5 projects and 1 non-project aid, through forms of vocational training support, start-up capital, medical treatment, tuition fees, and scholarships for vulnerable groups such as students, LGBT youth, children with autism spectrum disorders, children undergoing orthopedic surgery, and children in difficult circumstances. In addition, every year, the leaders of the City Social Work Center create conditions for officials and employees to participate in training courses, professional training, and social work skills training, to improve their knowledge and skills, to perform well in their work, and serve beneficiaries...

Article and photos: ANH PHUONG

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/cong-tac-xa-hoi-no-luc-doi-moi-ket-noi-va-chuyen-nghiep-a184949.html