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The History of Social Work
The first social work class was held at Columbia University in 1898 to ensure that people in need were able to attain the necessary skills to break free from poverty and oppression.
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) describes the many benefits we are afforded as a result of the hard work of early social workers which include the following:
- The civil rights of all people regardless of gender, race, faith, or sexual orientation are protected.
- Workers enjoy unemployment insurance, disability pay, worker’s compensation and Social Security.
- People with mental illness and developmental disabilities are now afforded humane treatment.
- Medicaid and Medicare give poor, disabled and elderly people access to health care.
- Society seeks to prevent child abuse and neglect.
- Treatment for mental illness and substance abuse is gradually losing its stigma.
Further, the volunteer efforts by social work pioneers to develop charitable social organizations the late 19th century paved the way for A Second Chance, Inc. to become the nation’s leader in kinship care! While there are different types of social work, our work primarily focuses on the welfare of children as we believe that every child touched by our organization has the right to be safe and must thrive.
Social work is not only hard work, but it’s heart work. It takes strength, empathy, perseverance and much more to be a successful social worker, caring for the lives of those in need. ASCI thanks the pioneers of social work as well as those who continue to make an impact in human rights today. Happy National Social Work Month!
Here is a look at the evolution of social work education!