There are many ways to measure the success of an even like our 12th annual Dining for a Difference that took place on March 23rd at the Cobb Galleria:
 

• Number of seats filled – we had 820 guests, nearly twice the usual attendance for this event
• Dollars raised – we’re still finalizing the expenses but it looks like we will exceed our $250,000 goal!
• Quality of the food – everyone raved.
• Number of laughs generated by the speaker – the Tuohy’s remarks were equally entertaining and inspiring
• Ease of parking – No complaints as far as I’ve heard

But one of the most important factors in my opinion (though perhaps the hardest to measure) is the “amps of energy” in the air. The air at Dining for a Difference was truly electric! The positive energy in the room that night could be attributed to a number of things. I believe it was a combination of the anticipation of meeting and hearing from the Tuohys, the passion of Families First’s supporters, and the inspiring words of our award recipients and the young men who participated in the program.

Our special guests Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy were certainly a hit, but John and Polly Lewis, our 2010 Humanitarian Award recipients stole the show. They have become local celebrities with their story of compassion and generosity, having fostered over 80 over the past 40 years. Equally moving was hearing from the three young women who were awarded scholarships and the two young men who participated by serving as our announcer and giving the opening remarks.

More than a dozen current or former foster youth were also in the room. I can only imagine what it might mean to those young people to look out into that room and know that 800 strangers all chose to be there that night because they care about their success. I thought the positive energy directed their way was palpable, and I hope most of all that they felt it too. Perhaps that is the greatest success of the night by any measure.  

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to do work that I hadn’t done in years – counsel clients at Project GROW located at the Delowe Village apartment complex.   I had counseled many of these families before.  This day was a reflection of the progress families are capable of making when the right supports are in place.  For many of these individuals, their past difficulties and challenges have turned into success stories.  It was wonderful to hear these clients talk about the gratitude they feel for  Families First and the Project Grow staff that have given them encouragement, motivation, and hope.  

As one of my counseling session came to an end, a resident remarked, “Thank you Ms. Sloan for not giving up on me, for believing in me and helping me to believe in myself.”  Hearing those words from someone I hadn’t seen for quite some time was so powerful and it felt great! What I witnessed that day was growth, strength, accomplishment and empowerment by a community of people who others may have written off long ago. My brief return to direct practice reminded me of why I love my job and the passion I have for social work. I am inspired and honored to belong to a profession that recognizes that all individuals have potential.

March is National Professional Social Work Month – a time for social workers to celebrate, honor and take pride in the work we do and the lives we transform each and every day.  The theme this year is “Social Workers Inspire Community Action” – such an appropriate theme considering the devastating impact of our current economy, and President Obama’s interest in growing voluntary public service programs. 

Families First embraces community action that directly impacts children and families who live in the communities you and I live in. Our current economic downturn has resulted in layoffs, foreclosures, homelessness and a decrease in access to health care.  These conditions have necessitated that each one of us do our part in assisting those who need help most.  While helping children and families to become stronger and healthier is what social workers do 365 days a year, everyone can do something to make a difference in the life of a child. During this month, take some time to reflect and renew your commitment to help those who require additional guidance and assistance.  Here are just a few things you can do to inspire and impact others:
 

• Mentor or tutor a foster child
• Plant a garden or flowers in an impoverished neighborhood
• Solicit friends and family to give to  a cause you’re passionate about
• Start a learning library at  one of our permanency cooperative’s or transitional living facilities
• Organize a community resource fair
• Promote Families First at your church or civic organization
• Look for job opportunities for an unemployed client or neighbor
• Participate in Career Day at a local school

You don’t have to be a social worker to create great change in community.  But I am happy that social workers have led the way in the past, and continue to lead by example.  My young, but very wise co-worker, Sydney Royes-Holmes, so eloquently stated “The great thing about being a social worker is that we have the ability to educate people in the community, and by giving them the tools they need, they too can effect positive changes in their own community.”  

Make change today – contact Families First and begin impacting the lives of children and families in your community.