Minister of Social Services & Community Development the Hon. Melanie Griffin brings remarks to Social Workers during the Long Service Awards Ceremony, March 27, in the Ballroom at Government House. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)

NASSAU, The Bahamas --- The Ministry of Social Services and Community Development and the Department of Social Services will celebrate its 50thto bring even greater awareness about the significance of social work to the Bahamian fabric, Minister of Social Services and Community Development, the Hon. Melanie S. Griffin announced.

The advent of self-government in 1964 resulted in the establishment of Ministerial Government in The Bahamas for the first time and this saw the formation of a Ministry of Welfare and the nucleus of the Department of Social Services. The Hon. Eugene Dupuch was the first Minister with responsibility for welfare.

“We will therefore celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of social services later this year and we will in due course, announce the events for this significant milestone,” Mrs. Griffin said.

Minister Griffin said a committee, headed by former Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Vylma Thompson-Curling, has been appointed to develop a schedule of activities and events to commemorate 50 years, in an effort to raise public profile and underscore the value of social workers.

This month’s celebration of Social Workers Month was the first of such activities leading up to the grand finale scheduled for the Fall of 2014.

“I wish to express appreciation to Mrs. Vylma Thompson-Curling, retired Permanent Secretary who during her tenure was very instrumental in advancing social services in our country, for serving as Chairman of the  anniversary this year by hosting a series of events designed Planning Committee for Social Work Month and the 50th anniversary celebrations and the members of the Committee who served with her,” Mrs. Griffin added.

Mrs. Griffin said Social Workers have, and continue to contribute to every aspect of Bahamian society including disaster management and relief; family services, rehabilitation and welfare; early childhood development; residential care; health social services; parenting matters, senior citizens matters, disability matters, child protection, community assistance and social assistance including areas such as food assistance, rent assistance, uniform assistance and electricity payments, among many other services.

“Social Work is a profession that requires a comprehensive knowledge of human development and behaviours and of social, economic and cultural institutions and systems,” Mrs. Griffin said. “The practice of social work encompasses interventions at the individual, group and community levels.

 “Those people who have benefitted from the work these men and women do on a daily basis know of the value of social workers to our country and people. They do it automatically and are on call all hours,” Mrs. Griffin added.Minister Griffin said as The Bahamas continues to develop and adjust to varying global and economic situations, the practice of social work will continue to be relevant and necessary to respond to the changing social needs of the citizenry.

“You have proven your resilience over the years to adapt to changing situations and different needs; hence I am confident that you will rise to the challenges that will come in the future. I implore you, therefore, to keep pace with new trends in the field and expand your knowledge as you continue to practice your profession with pride, passion and dedication.

“All of you would have made sacrifices both of a personal and financial nature over the years because of your choice of career. Some of you would have turned down more lucrative and less stressful positions because of your passion to help others and the call that lured you into social work.

“I am sure that most, if not all of you, would have questioned at one point or another if it was worth it, and obviously the answer was "yes" as you are here today. I commend and congratulate you all for your years of committed service. I also wish to thank the members of your respective families who supported you firstly in your career choice and secondly, over the years in the performance of your duties, which often took you away from home for various periods of time,” Mrs. Griffin added.