Local Non-Profit Earns Agency of the Year Award
Syracuse, NY, April 3, 2009 - ARISE Child and Family Service, Inc. received the first ever Agency of the Year Award given by the New York State Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. The award, presented on March 19 in Albany at the 2009 Spirit of Social Work Dinner, recognizes an agency that demonstrates exceptional professional qualities.
“I’m honored we’ve been recognized,” said Maryann Piazza-Toms, Director of the ARISE Child and Family Mental Health Clinic. She, along with ARISE Executive Director, Tom McKeown, and other staff accepted the award on behalf of the agency. “This award recognizes all the hard work that ARISE staff do every day of the year without regard to accolades or applause,” said Piazza-Toms.
As a Center for Independent Living, ARISE’s core services include peer counseling, independent living skills training, information and referral, and individual and systems advocacy. The agency also offers a range of programs beyond its core services, each designed to support independent living and community integration. Its work is guided by the independent living philosophy, the belief that people with disabilities have a right to self-determination – the freedom to make choices and work toward achieving personal goals.
ARISE’s Child and Family Mental Health Clinic delivers services using a person-centered approach that builds on inherent strengths to develop maximum independence and improve quality of life for children, adults, and families. “We need to continue being a community partner and help the public learn about what we do,” Piazza-Toms said.
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership association for professional social workers in the world. The New York State chapter encompasses all of New York State except the five boroughs of New York City. The Spirit of Social Work Awards are given annually in March.