March is National Social Worker’s Appreciation Month.

In honor of their accomplishments St. Clair County Department of Human Resources (DHR) employees celebrated by breaking bread together and sharing some laughs.

Cherri Pilkington Hamlin, St. Clair County DHR Director, has been with DHR for 15 years.

“We wanted to take a little time to tell our employees thank you,” said Pilkington. “There’s a whole team of people who come together to help us. Our local judges and counselors; this is not something we can do alone. We appreciate y’all for your hard work.”

Taking an Introduction to Social Work class at UAB, Pilkington’s interest in the field piqued (while still in school) when she met her neighbor, a child who was in a foster home.

A high stress job, employees at DHR are familiar with the phrase, “work hard play hard.”

Program Supervisor Iris Glasco has been in her position for 10 years, but with St. Clair County DHR for the past 30 years.

Working with family assistance, child support, the food stamp program and Kinship Care, a program for families taking care of children of relatives, Glasco said her employees are being acknowledged for the work they do with families.

“Days like today are good for morale,” said Glasco. “We’re here to serve the people and help them as best we can. It’s an awesome responsibility.”

With 5,000 households in St. Clair County on food stamps and 3,000 households in the child support program, DHR has 100 cases involved with TANF (Temporary Assistance of Needy Families).

These workers also assist 170 cases of people needed job assistance.

“We eliminate barriers for them,” said Glasco. “We help with childcare, get tires for their cars, provide gas to get to an interview and provide interview clothes (not on an ongoing basis). We help get them on their feet.”  

Extending a heaping serving of gratitude to the 50 St. Clair County DHR employees, Glasco says, “They’re dedicated workers who come early and stay late to help.”

Ranging from one year to 35 years of service, experience is another strength St. Clair County DHR employees have on their side.

Malinda Fomby, Adoption Specialist and Chair of the Hospitality Committee works closely with foster care, investigations, is the Drug Court Coordinator for St. Clair County, on the Policy Council Board with UAB’s Early Headstart Program and on the St. Clair County Policy Council for Headstart.

“My job is exciting because I get to finalize adoptions,” said Fomby. “It’s a very stressful job for families who are very stressed, but our goal is to preserve and reunify families.”

With St. Clair County DHR for 14 years Fomby says their goal is to always make sure families are safe and receive the help they need.

Leeds resident and St. Clair County DHR Financial Officer Donna Coates, along with Fomby, organized a lunch complete with door prizes from Express Oil Change who donated a free oil change, gift cards from The Outlet Shops of Grand River and dress down days (think casual Friday, but any day instead) from their bosses.

Golden Rule BBQ, Triple T’s and Walmart provided lunch. Pell City Texaco also contributed to St. Clair County DHR’S social worker appreciation day.

“A teenager in foster care came by the other day to show us his driver’s permit,” said Coates. “It’s about life lessons and life benefits. It makes me happy to be a part of this team.”

Drafting a poem placed on a flyer throughout the St. Clair County DHR offices, Coates wrote:

“A social worker’s job is hard each and every day, making a difference in a very special way. A family in need or a child to love, the help you give goes beyond and above. You may not hear it near enough, and the decisions you make are sometimes tough…but we can see the work you do and because of that we say—Thank you!”

Put an even bigger smile on a St. Clair County DHR employees’ face today by thanking them for all they do.

The St. Clair DHR offices are located at 2806 Dr. John Haynes Drive and 1310 Comer Avenue, both in Pell City.