SWAG: Social Worker Appreciation of Greatness Awards

08/12/2025

We’re thrilled to welcome Staunton Farm Foundation back as a Friends of SWAG Sponsor for the 4th time!

Their ongoing support of the Social Worker Appreciation of Greatness (SWAG) Awards isn’t just a boost for our event—it’s a powerful statement that the heart work of social workers matters.

From behind-the-scenes advocacy to everyday service in the trenches, these incredible professionals deserve to be seen, celebrated, and sustained. And Staunton Farm Foundation has stood with us in that mission year after year. 🙌🏾

We can’t wait to honor greatness together at the 6th Annual SWAG Awards! 🫶🏾

📩 Want to join the celebration or become a sponsor? Visit www.theswagawards.com to get involved.

08/11/2025

In 2023, Dr. Aliya Durham, faculty at Pitt’s School of Social Work received a SWAG Award.
In this clip, she opens up about what it felt like to be nominated and recognized for her work… surprising, humbling, and unforgettable.

📣 Nominations for the 2026 SWAG Awards open September 2, 2025
🌐 www.theswagawards.com

08/01/2025

📣 We’re one month out!
Nominations for the 6th Annual SWAG Awards open on September 2nd! 💛

This year we’re celebrating the heart work of social workers across Western PA with:

✨ Entrepreneur of the Year
✨ Lifetime Achievement
✨ NEW: SWAG Legacy of Heart & Impact Award – honoring an organization that has been showing up for 10+ years, employs social workers, and prioritizes both their teams and the communities they serve.

Know someone who deserves their flowers? 🌸 Stay tuned!

🔔 Turn on your notifications
📬 Join our email list at www.theswagawards.com to be the first to know when nominations go live!

07/24/2025

Today is International Self-Care Day, and at the SWAG Alliance Foundation and SWAG Awards, we’re honoring it the best way we know how:

By uplifting the voices of the very people who give so much of themselves; social workers.

These reflections were gathered from past SWAG honorees, nominees, and social workers across the globe. Each one is a reminder that while this work is purpose-driven, it’s also personally demanding.

🛑 Pause.
💭 Reflect.
💌 And remember: Self-care isn’t indulgent. It’s how we sustain this work.

👉 Swipe through and let us know: what’s one message you needed to hear today?

Want to be featured in the next round of reflections? We’ll be collecting more this fall.
Sign up at www.swagfoundation.org to stay in the loop.

07/16/2025

Nominate a University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work alumni!

Do you know a Pitt Social Work graduate making an impact on a local, regional, national or international level? Are you that person?
Nominations for the 2025 Pitt Social Work Alumni Awards are open! The deadline to submit is July 31.
Award categories are:
🎓 Distinguished Alumni Award
💡 Advancing Excellence Award
💙 School of Social Work Service Award
🌟 Rising Star Alumni Award
Nominate today! https://ow.ly/ARUY50WnCys

07/15/2025

📣 Meet Our Newest SWAG Committee Member: Khavah Murray, MSW, LCSW, CCTP, CGP!

We’re thrilled to welcome Khavah Murray to the SWAG Awards Committee! 🙌🏾✨

Khavah brings over 16 years of powerful experience in mental health and community services, especially with children and families. She currently serves as the Director of Behavioral Health and Social Services at Primary Care Health Services, leading efforts to expand quality care for underserved communities.

As the Founder of Hope Deals Counseling & Consulting, she’s passionate about culturally responsive services and increasing the presence of Black and Brown therapists. She’s also an adjunct professor of social work at Penn State Greater Allegheny and a 2025 SWAG Award recipient!

Khavah’s dedication to wellness, self-care, and professional growth makes her a perfect addition to our mission. ❤️🩶

💻 Want to learn more about our committee and how we uplift social workers?
Visit www.theswagawards.com

07/02/2025

We’re excited to share that the Allegheny County Department of Human Services is returning as a Platinum Sponsor for the 3rd consecutive year! 💛

Your continued support of the SWAG: Social Worker Appreciation of Greatness Awards means the world to us; and even more to the social workers we uplift through this movement.

Thank you for standing with us as we celebrate the heart work of those who serve behind the scenes every day. 💛💼

We can’t wait to honor greatness with you at the 6th annual SWAG Awards! 🫶🏾

Want to stay in the loop or become a sponsor?
Join our mailing list or inquire about sponsorship opportunities at www.theswagawards.com

06/17/2025

In times of uncertainty and budget challenges, we’re especially grateful to these returning sponsors for their unwavering support:

🎓 University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work
🏥 UPMC
🤝 The Heinz Endowments
💊 Vitamin C Healing
💡 SWAG Alliance Foundation

Because of you, the 6th Annual SWAG Awards continues to uplift the social workers doing the heart work—often unseen, but never unfelt.

🗣️ Want to join this incredible lineup of sponsors?
Learn more at: theswagawards.com/sponsor

06/09/2025

You can feel the love in this room. ❤️
This isn’t just a round of applause; it’s a standing ovation for the heart work, the unseen labor, and the resilience of social workers.

At the SWAG Awards, we don’t just say “thank you;” we show it.

📣 Whether you’re a student, seasoned professional, or somewhere in between; your impact matters. And we’re here to celebrate it.

Www.theswagawards.com

06/05/2025

We’re honored to recognize UPMC as the Friends of SWAG Sponsor for the 6th Annual SWAG Awards; marking their 6th consecutive year of support!

Thank you for continuing to invest in the people who do the heart work every day.

For sponsorship opportunities, visit
https://www.theswagawards.com/be-a-sponsor

06/02/2025

We’re honored to recognize The Heinz Endowments as the Sliver Sponsor for the 6th Annual SWAG Awards; marking their 4th consecutive year of support!

Thank you for continuing to invest in the people who do the heart work every day.

For sponsorship opportunities, visit
https://www.theswagawards.com/be-a-sponsor

05/28/2025

On this 28th day of , here’s a reminder for every social worker who’s ever carried a client outcome home with them:
You’re not alone.

I recently wrote for Social Work News about something I had to learn the hard way;
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆.

Not because we don’t care.
But because carrying what we can’t control will crush us.

Compassion should connect us, not consume us.

💭 What helps you stay rooted in purpose without losing yourself in outcomes?

Here’s the article if you want to check it out:

https://www.mysocialworknews.com/article/how-i-learned-to-stop-taking-client-outcomes-personally

~Sharise

A must-read for anyone who’s ever carried the weight of this work a little too heavily...