World Social Workers Day 3/21/23
With a 75 year history, Jawonio, a human services organization in New York, is a lifespan services provider for children and adults with special needs. Our mission is dedicated to advancing the independence, well-being and equality of people with disabilities and special needs. Recognized for our holistic and person-centered care, social workers have been a part of our staff and mission for decades. Currently, we have staff who began as interns and currently work across all of our programs and services. Today, we are proud to thank and celebrate our current social work staff in recognition of their dedication on World Social Work Day, March 21, 2023.
We celebrate, Kaitlyn Rodriguez and Susan Beerman social workers in our Behavioral Health Programs; Jane Mullin, Director of Family Support Services in our Early Childhood Education Center. Thank you to Jenna Isker, Carla Brajkovic and Mary Hollender who have shared their thoughts about their careers and Jawonio.
Social workers serve many roles in their communities. They assess their client’s needs and challenges. As advocates, they speak for their clients, getting them access to the resources they need to improve their lives. Social workers also respond to crisis situations. #wswd2023 #wswd
Jenna Isker, Supervisor of Mental Health Recovery Services began her Jawonio career as an intern. She then had the opportunity to come back and is very grateful as she shared that Jawonio has always felt like home.
“Social work is an important field, as we do crucial work supporting others in changing their lives in positive ways. My own life experiences led me to this field and ignited my passion to help others. I have always wished to support and help others to heal from painful life experiences and empower them to live meaningful lives. I am so fortunate to get to be able to do such powerful work at Jawonio. I am encouraged to use my skills and passion to support others in their own recovery journey.”
“I love that Jawonio encourages individuality and community. It also encourages collaboration, which I thoroughly enjoy both with clients and colleagues. I am lucky to work with such an amazing team and people who inspire me everyday.”
Jenna Isker, LCSW
Carla and Keith sharing the joy together at Jawonio
Carla Brajkovic, LCSW-R “I have been at Jawonio for about 4 ½ years. I work at the Samuel J. Fisher Intermediate Care Facility and Article 16 Clinic. My mother is a social worker. I decided to do this because I am good with people and I believe it is important to help one another. What I love most about Jawonio is the love that exists between the beautiful people here and how welcomed and loved I feel being here.”
Mary Hollender, LCSW Manager, Transitions, PROS Mental Health Program
“Many years ago, I was going through a challenging time in my life. A very compassionate social worker helped to get me through this time and helped provide me with strength and hope. After this experience, I made the decision to go into the social work profession, hoping to help people the way I was once helped. What I love about working in Jawonio PROS, is the fact that as a recovery-based program, we focus on participants’ strengths and resilience rather than on their diagnoses/illness. In a field which can be emotionally taxing, working for an agency and program which promotes hope and person-centered care is refreshing. Jawonio is the agency in which I started my social work journey and feel lucky to have built my foundation here. I feel very blessed to go to work knowing that I’m working for an agency I respect and with leaders who I admire greatly.”
Mary Hollender, LCSW
Kaitlyn Rodriguez, LMSW
Kaitlyn Rodriguez, LMSW, Jawonio PROS Program
“I love that being a social worker allows me to form genuine human connections on a daily basis. I’ve met so many wonderful people from various walks of life and I’ve loved learning about each and every one of them. I take pride in being a guide to others through their highs, lows, and in-betweens. I feel honored that I can provide a safe space for people to tell me the true depths of their thoughts and feelings. As much as I help others learn and grow, they do the same for me.”
“I will always be grateful for having such a healthy work environment here in Jawonio. Since the moment I was hired, I felt nothing but compassion and care from everyone around me. I was welcomed with open arms, and I try to do the same for new coworkers. I love being around such a wonderful community of not only staff but clients as well. I have learned so much from the people I serve, and I know that I will only continue to grow. I feel honored that my work here is noticed and appreciated. I am happy to be part of an organization that cares so much about the community.”
