Salute human service workers

More than 145,000 human service workers care for individuals and families across Massachusetts. They are counselors in group homes, outreach clinicians, child care workers, job coaches, and elder care managers. They serve people with disabilities; provide care coordination for those with complex medical and behavioral needs; administer medication regimens; and support vulnerable people in recovery from violence and trauma.

 

They are the backbone of the commonwealth, working hard for modest pay to provide strength to our families and communities and thus to our collective social and economic well-being.

 

That’s why we at Advocates and leaders including Gov. Charlie Baker are saluting these workers during Direct Service Professional Recognition Week (Sept. 13-19) in Massachusetts. Without them, Advocates, a nonprofit human services agency based in Framingham and serving Eastern and Central Massachusetts, simply could not achieve our mission to help people reach their hopes and dreams within the fabric of their communities.

 

Human service workers work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week caring for our children, family members, elderly parents, and neighbors. Sometimes they are the only source of hope for individuals and families in their greatest time of need. And they do it all with tremendous commitment, generosity, and grace.

 

DIANE GOULD

President and CEO of Advocates