The end of March brings the end of National Professional Social Worker Month. But, it doesn’t mean we should stop recognizing the powerful impact Social Workers have on our communities. Their ability to help individuals and families live their fullest, safest, and most engaged lives is something to be revered every day of the year.
This week we are featuring one of our Team Leads, Annalisa Verdugo. Annalisa has the important task of helping San Diegans in need find housing. She has been working with Home Start for about two-and-a-half years and was drawn to our work by our vision statement.
Our vision is for every child to have a safe, stable, and nurturing home.
home start vision statement
Hi Annalisa. Your background has always been working with children and young adults in need of supportive services, but how would you define your specific role with Home Start?
My role as a Social Worker with Home Start is to promote client empowerment, advocacy and social justice. More so with my current role as a Team Lead for Rapid Re-Housing programs for individuals experiencing homelessness.
In my current role I have made an impact in assisting homeless individuals to secure permanent housing. I’ve also been able to connect these individuals to resources needed for self- sufficiency.
That sounds very rewarding. What is your favorite thing about being a Social Worker?
I am naturally a giving person, by being a Social Worker I am able to do what I love while helping those who don’t have the resources. It is definitely an amazing feeling to be able to house and help people in need.
Well, we are lucky to have you out there making a difference in people’s lives. What would you tell others about the work you do that they might not know?
The work that Home Start’s housing team does is very valuable. We help families by giving them the opportunity to start over. Many of the individuals we house just need the opportunity to have stable housing. Once this is in place, they are able to attend to the rest of their needs.
Thank you so much for answering some of our questions and reminding us how important Social Workers are to San Diego.
This has been a very illuminating month of interviews with our Social Workers who do everything from helping families find housing to giving a pregnant mother the courage and support she needs to raise a healthy family. You can read all of our previous blog posts on our homepage.
Home Start is working hard to give every family in San Diego an opportunity to thrive, especially during these difficult times. If you want to help, please donate or fulfill some needs from our Amazon Wish List.
” Together, we will come out of this situation stronger while still working towards our vision for all children in San Diego to have a safe, stable, and nurturing home.”
Home Start CEO, Laura Tancredi-Baese