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Acknowledging the vital role that community social service workers play
Ottawa (6 Nov. 2008) - Today is the first annual Community Social Service Workers Appreciation Day, an event to acknowledge and celebrate the vital role that these workers play in making communities better places to live.
"These people work very hard to provide services that ensure a decent standard of living for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities," says James Clancy, president of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE).
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"We salute them. This is their day. We celebrate the contribution they make to the daily lives of countless families in communities all across our country.”
Numerous cities and towns have joined in the occasion by formally recognizing the day. The list includes Edmonton, Alta., and a long list of Ontario communities ? Ajax, Atikokan, Aurora, Barrie, Belleville, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Clarington, Cochrane, Cornwall, Elliot Lake, Hearst, Markham, Midland, Milton, Newmarket, North Bay, Port Hope, Scugog, Stratford, Thunder Bay, Timmins, Wasaga Beach and Whitchurch-Stouffville.
Many other municipalities have also expressed support and indicated that they wish to be associated with the celebrations in other ways.
The National Union has taken the lead in organizing observations for Nov. 6. It will be the first annual Community Social Service Workers Appreciation Day in Canada.
The union is urging everyone to take time to reflect on the contribution these workers make to so many communities and to offer their thanks and appreciation.
The idea for the day originated at a 2007 NUPGE conference of community social service workers. It was envisaged as a day to focus attention on the importance of the sector to the well-being of the country and to acknowledge the contributions that these workers make.
A website devoted to community social service workers includes resources to help organize appreciation day events. Everything from posters, media releases, sample resolutions, videos, news, and research is readily available at cssworkerscare.ca. NUPGE
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