Proclaiming March 2023 as National Social Work Month and calling upon all citizens to join the National Association of Social Workers, the City of Philadelphia and the Office of Homeless Services to celebrate and support the Social Work Profession and its many contributions.

WHEREAS, Social Workers in Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services enter the profession because they have a strong desire to instill hope in individuals and families experiencing poverty and homelessness in Philadelphia, and to help empower them to reach their full potential; and

WHEREAS, Social Workers in Philadelphia's Office of Homeless Services selflessly and compassionately care for people experiencing homelessness in their moment of need, and improve their well-being by providing them with care, meals, and shelter; and

WHEREAS, Social Workers in Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services positively touch the lives of people experiencing homelessness each day with the goal of making homelessness rare, brief, and non-reoccurring having served 17,693 unique individuals in fiscal year 2022 including 6,024 with long-term housing; and

WHEREAS, Social Workers in Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services help the City of Philadelphia live up to its values by advocating for equal rights for all, including people of color who make up over eighty percent of individuals served, with a commitment to dismantle institutional racism by cultivating and sustaining a culture of equity which value and promote respect, opportunity, and strategy to ensure

equitable resources

for both residents and staff for a better Philadelphia through our Racial Equity Core Group; and

WHEREAS, the 2023 Social Work Month theme “Social Work Breaks Barriers” embodies Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services social workers who empower individuals and families experiencing homelessness to overcome hurdles to achieve a better life using partnerships with workforce development, behavioral health, medical care, legal services, immigration, landlord engagement, local, state, and federal stakeholders; and

WHEREAS, Social Workers in Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services continue to push for changes that have made the City of Philadelphia a better place to live, including a 40% increase in income for individuals exiting our system and providing 1,558 families with homelessness prevention and diversion assistance; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, that it hereby proclaims March 2023 as National Social Work Month in recognition of the numerous contributions made by Social Workers throughout Philadelphia’s Homeless Assistance system, and that this body calls upon all citizens to join the National Association of Social Workers, the City of Philadelphia and the Office of Homeless Services to celebrate and support the Social Work Profession and its many contributions.

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