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From April 2002 NASW NEWS Social Work in the Public Eye
He received his MSW from Indiana University in 1974 and his MBA from the University of Pittsburgh in 1999. The V.A. is the largest employer of social workers in the country, with more than 3,800 employed in its national health care system. The first professionally trained social worker in Greene County, Tenn., and one of the first in the state, Sarah Justice turned 100 years old on Feb. 2, 2002. The Greeneville Sun reported that Justice led a life "dedicated, both personally and professionally, to helping others." From her first paid job at the age of 12 helping an elderly neighbor with daily living activities, Justice has "never been happy unless I've been able to help someone else," the paper reported. During the Depression, Justice took a position with the State of Tennessee's Department of Public Welfare. She earned a master's degree in social work from Vanderbilt University and went on to train more than 300 social workers. Following her retirement, Justice helped to form the Foster Grandparent Program of East Tennessee. She has volunteered with numerous organizations including the First Developmental District Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council. Both the Palm Beach Post and CNNMoney published an article discussing some of the beneficial sides of socializing on the Internet. Mark Gorkin, a licensed clinical social worker who hosts America Online's "Stress Chat" and runs stressdoc.com, pointed to lack of connections with extended family as a primary reason people turn to the Internet for advice and sympathy. He stated that the Internet and the support it provides can be "a savior" for single parents who can't get out much or others who are housebound, and the Internet offers a vast selection of online niche support groups. The article also brought up the hazards of Internet communication. "Almost anything can become a source of addiction," Gorkin said. The article concluded that balance is essential, and that while "the Internet isn't necessarily a substitute for real-time, face-to-face communication, it is a useful tool." Harriet Edelstein, a social worker for the Boulder Valley School District, received a peer-selected Impact on Learning Award from the Foundation for Boulder Valley Schools. The Boulder, Colo., Daily Camera reported that Edelstein is one of five district employees honored for having a positive impact on students, peers, schools and the educational community. Each recipient received $2,000; $1,500 for their school and $500 as a personal award. One of the ways Edelstein works to address the needs of students at Crest View Elementary is the "special friend" mailbox outside her door. Students who are having a bad day or need to talk can drop off notes with their names, and Edelstein will call them out of class to talk.
"We who were born in the United Sates have derived many benefits since birth simply from that fact alone, and not from our individual efforts," he wrote. "In this valley of three- and four-car garages, 6,000-square-foot homes with 'media rooms,' gated 'communities,' and every modern convenience known to humankind, surely we can provide a roof and hot water for the homeless in our midst." Pelton suggested that minor adjustments to priorities and budgets on the city and county levels would make a powerful difference in the care of homeless people. "Perhaps we can become a leader and model for other parts of the country." The Anderson Herald-Bulletin reported that Urban League Head Start social worker Vickie Ash helped arrange for literacy tutoring for a deaf single mother through the Madison County (Ill.) Literacy Coalition. During a home visit, the client revealed to Ash that she couldn't read or write, although she had graduated from high school in 1990. Head Start believes that other deaf or hearing-impaired clients may need tutoring services and is eager to let people know that help is available, the story said. Back to NASW NEWS Contents
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