Social Work: Compassion + Action: Mecklenburg County Recognizes Employees for “Social Work Month”
March is National Social Work Month, an opportunity to recognize the hard work and dedication of social workers across Mecklenburg County.
The Board of County Commissioners has adopted a proclamation declaring March as Social Work Month in Mecklenburg County. The theme for 2025 is “Social Work: Compassion + Action.”
Hundreds of social workers hold positions across Mecklenburg County departments and are dedicated to helping individuals and families in the community through service delivery, research, education, and advocacy. They are on the frontlines, strengthening families and the community through a safety-net of services, collaborations, and hope.
Social workers:
- Look after the safety and welfare of our children.
- Help find children a loving foster or forever home.
- Ensure residents have enough nutritious food to eat.
- Offer financial assistance to homes with limited income and resources.
- Provide care, support, transportation, medical assistance and more for adults of all ages.
- Aid domestic violence victims in getting the help they need.
- Support the homeless in finding permanent housing.
- And much more.
“Social work is not just a profession—it’s a calling. It is a commitment to advocacy, to equity and to ensuring that the most vulnerable among us have access to the resources and support they need,” said Kimberly Henderson, director of Mecklenburg County’s Child, Family, and Adult Services. “Each day, our social workers take on some of the hardest work in public service. It takes dedication, resilience and an unshakable commitment to serving others. These professionals show up every day, ready to make a difference in the lives of those who need them the most.”
Watch: Social Workers Serve with Passion and Excellence
“My passion for social work comes from knowing that there are families in their darkest hour and knowing that they can rely on me and my team to help improve their lives while providing resources and hope,” said Shannon McClattie, social work supervisor with investigations. “Many families don’t understand that we are not there just for the crises. We are wealth of information, and we are there to help families improve on the foundations that they have built at home. We are truly there to help.”
View: Photos of Mecklenburg County social workers being recognized for Social Work Month 2025.
“I like to see the impact that my profession has on society,” says Todd Pusey, adult guardianship social worker. “I love seeing positive outcomes. When I work with a client, I always want to think that I left them in a better place than when I started with them.”
Become a Social Worker: Mecklenburg County welcomes candidates from across educational backgrounds who can offer a wide variety of experiences in serving our clients and are comfortable working across cultures. For someone whose passion is working with people and families to help them to be successful and feel supported, there is no better place to work than Mecklenburg County. Employees can customize their careers to align with their passions. Explore social work and eligibility careers available in Mecklenburg County.
Social workers are everywhere, and they are in demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the social work profession is projected to grow 7 percent between now and 2033—faster than the average for all occupations. By then, more than 836,000 social workers will be employed in the United States. Social workers undergo years of schooling and training, gaining the expertise needed to support communities and individuals. They excel at meeting people where they are and provide compassionate guidance and help, and it is likely a social worker at some time will assist you, a family member, or a friend.