In every community, there are people who go above and beyond their usual work to make a significant difference in the lives of thousands. These advocates can come from every discipline, but many times they are social workers.

Social workers often work in positions and organizations that allow them to see the full impact of a larger social problem in a community. Many are driven to launch and lead efforts that address the root of such problems. These dedicated individuals are who the National Association of Social Workers seeks to honor this March during National Professional Social Work Month.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Social Workers Inspire Community Action.”

NASW Executive Director Elizabeth J. Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH says that the 2010 Social Work Month theme underscores the Association’s focus this year on leadership development. “We have so many inspiring leaders to look to in our profession’s history as we plan for the future. Others may think and talk about problems, but social workers do something to change the systems that perpetuate them. Social workers help Americans succeed,” she says.

One such person is Dr. Dorothy I. Height—a social work pioneer, President Emerita of the National Council of Negro Women and one of the most recognized civil rights leaders in the United States. Dr. Height worked directly with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Whitney M. Young, Jr. (also a social worker), John Lewis, and others to enact the 1964 Civil Rights Act. She also helped open YWCA clubs to girls of all backgrounds.

A documentary of Dr. Height’s life from the SUNY Stony Brook School of Social Work is in production and both the House and Senate versions of the Social Work Reinvestment Act bear her name and that of former NASW President Whitney Young.

Stories of social work leaders are published every day in newspapers— and sometimes become TV news segments, magazine features and popular blog posts. However, these profiles only show a small fraction of the positive changes created by social workers in all communities.

For example, in Gaffney, Erica Cosh, social worker with Hospice Care of South Carolina, is working to address caregiver and grief issues and other needs of her community. Erica is working daily to assist families in need of respite care or grief counseling to assist them with end of life issues that arise when caring for a sick loved one.

Professional social workers, just like Erica Cosh, are on the frontlines, responding to human needs such as homelessness, poverty, family break-up, mental illness, physical and mental disability, alcohol and substance abuse, domestic violence and end of life care. They also know that helping people and families navigate difficult life transitions may require “changing the map” through community action.

Hospice Care of South Carolina is here to help you every step of the way when you or a loved one are faced with life limiting illness. It is staffed with a local interdisciplinary team of health care professionals who will provide symptom control, pain management and emotional and spiritual support specifically tailored to your needs and wishes.

There is no out-of-pocket expense to the patient of the family and no one is ever denied service due to inability to pay.