HOORAY FOR OUR SOCIAL WORKERS !!!
National Professional Social Worker month, celebrated each March since proclaimed by the White House in 1984, is designed to spotlight the important contributions more than 680,000 Social Workers make to our society and our families. Social Workers are not often the most noticeable workers as they generally work alongside families, children and communities to confront challenges, encourage resiliency, find solutions, address needs, offer resources, and forge successful relationships between individuals. They are often the “worker bees” in the shadows but nevertheless, they are working relentlessly to make our world a better place in which to live.
Dedicated and knowledgeable, these social workers often work 24/7 to address crises and emergencies, assure the safety of children and families, and provide necessary supports to diffuse violence and abuse….often at the expense of their own
family life. They are encouragers, supporters, advocates, teachers, mediators, leaders, protectors, listeners, therapists, models, and connectors. You can find social workers in communities, hospitals, schools, churches, child welfare, addictions, private agencies, mental health centers, counseling centers, prisons, juvenile justice, law enforcement, nursing homes, and private practices. Armed with psychological and social theories, compassion, experience, resources, and open minds, social workers help people to address the challenges in their lives and transform themselves into more productive, functioning and satisfied individuals.
At MLJ, we are very blessed to have a myriad of Social Workers on staff to help you with your adoption journey. Whether working with you on your home study, post adoption report, behavioral challenges with your adopted child, locating resources for you in your home community, discussing your referral, or presenting educational information to help you become the best possible parent, our MLJ Social Workers are experienced, helpful, dedicated, talented, and resourceful. Feel free to contact us if you need support!
Join MLJ as we celebrate the contributions of OUR social workers during National Social Work Month!
MLJ’s Social Work Staff includes:
Angela Simpson, BSW Lauren Raczkowski, MSW, LSW
Nikki Lux, MSW Alfreda Singleton-Smith, MSW, LSW
Meghan Rivard, MSW Kathy Stagg, MSW, LCSW
Janna Young, MSW, LCSW Melanie Obremski, MSW, LCSW
Katelyn Smith, MSW Karlene Edgemon, MS, LSW
And our Social Work Interns:
Natalie Zickmund Angela Bergstedt
Mikayla Carroll
Karlene Edgemon, MS, LSW
Karlene Edgemon works as MLJ Adoptions’ Director of Social Services. Throughout her 25 year social services career, Karlene has been able to watch adoption transform the lives of children and she is always brainstorming new ways to support adoptive families before, during and after their adoption.