TO GIVE
Back to Blog

Celebrating National Social Work Month

“Our nation’s more than 600,000 social workers have amazing tenacity and talent.”

Tenacity: it’s a word used by the National Association of Social Workers to describe its professionals, and those who have benefited from a social worker’s services would agree. Their ability to find resources and solve residents’ challenges in spite of obstacles leads to improved quality of life. When our own social worker Susie Swanson retired in October 2017, we found someone who could step in and fill this important position with patience, professionalism and, yes, tenacity.

Meet Cathy White

Cathy White and her husband, Greg[/caption]

“I began my position in October of 2017, when longtime social worker Susie Swanson retired from her position. I’m also a social worker for USD 379. I love working with kids and consider them to be our gold. I will retire from school social work in May of this year and I plan to devote more time to Presbyterian Manor as social worker consultant and as a volunteer,” said Cathy.

Cathy was a stay-at-home-mom until her children graduated high school, then she went to college to become a social worker. She worked for SRS from 1999 to 2007 until she took the position at the school. She looks forward to this new chapter of her life, and getting to know the residents at Clay Center Presbyterian Manor.

“I have the joy of visiting with residents and their families. Right now I am getting to know the residents. It is a true blessing. Learning about them and listening to stories about their families and past adventures. Annually, I do reviews with the residents. I consider myself their advocate. I learn of their desires now that they are residents at Presbyterian Manor. Interacting with residents is my favorite part of my job. I love seeing their smiles and hearing about who they are and the journey they have been on thus far in life,” said Cathy.

When she’s not helping residents or school children, Cathy enjoys spending time with her husband, Greg, who is retired.

“We plan to do some traveling in the coming year. There are so many places in Kansas we want to explore. Between us we have 11 grandchildren. We love following them in sports and things that interest them.

“I love to cook and create baked goods. Pies and cinnamon rolls are a weekly treat. In 1997 a wonderful friend needed to pass her starter on to someone, as she had cancer and could no longer keep up with this. I took the starter, which was for bread, and made it my own by developing a recipe for cinnamon rolls. I have made cinnamon rolls once a week since this time. Cinnamon rolls are a wonderful visitation tool.

“I look forward to what the future has in store for me and welcome the opportunity to be a part of the team at Presbyterian Manor.”

Back to Blog