SWAG: Social Worker Appreciation of Greatness Awards

03/24/2026

Tomorrow.

SWAG Fitness Day.

This isn’t just about getting a workout in.
It’s about releasing what you’ve been holding.
The stress.
The tension.
The constant pushing through.

For one hour, you get to move, breathe, and reset. No pressure. No expectations.
Just space.

If you’ve been saying you need a moment… this is it.

Spots are still available. Come as you are.

https://www.theswagawards.com/event-details/2026swagdayfitness

03/22/2026

The work is being seen beyond our own platforms.

Grateful to the New Pittsburgh Courier for covering the 6th Annual S.W.A.G. Awards.

Not for the visibility alone, but because it reflects something bigger:
Social workers deserve to be recognized in spaces like this.

Not just internally.
Not just once a year.
But publicly. Consistently.

📎 Read + view here:

THE 2026 S.W.A.G. AWARDS HONOREES, WITH SHARISE NANCE STANDING THIRD FROM RIGHT. (PHOTOS BY J.L. MARTELLO) The New Pittsburgh Courier was there as the 6th Annual Social Worker Appreciation of Greatness (S.W.A.G.) Awards celebration was held, March 7, 2026. The event was held at the Sheraton Hotel St...

03/19/2026

We celebrate…and we reset too.

As part of SWAG Day and Social Work Month, we’re hosting a SWAG Fitness Day on March 25.

A space to move, release, and take care of the body that carries so much.

If you’ve been in the room with us before, you already know the energy.

Spots are still available—come join us.
🔗 https://www.theswagawards.com/event-details/2026swagdayfitness

OJ Macklin-Fitness

03/18/2026

One of the most meaningful parts of the SWAG Awards each year is seeing organizations across the region show up to support the social work profession.

Some attend to celebrate colleagues.
Some attend to uplift their teams.
Some simply come because they believe social workers deserve recognition and appreciation.

And that kind of support matters.

The work social workers do often happens quietly — behind the scenes, in difficult moments, and in spaces where impact isn’t always visible.

So when organizations make the decision to show up and support this profession, it sends a powerful message.

At the 6th Annual SWAG Awards, we were grateful to see professionals represented from organizations including:

• Healthy Start, Inc. Pittsburgh/Allegheny County
• Handinhand Counseling Services
• JFCS Pittsburgh
• TRAC Services for Families
• NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania
• Gwen's Girls
• Staunton Farm Foundation
• Village Center for Holistic Therapy
• Atlas Counseling
• University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work
• Community Care Behavioral Health Organization
• Sojourner House
• UPMC Health Plan
• Assisted Living Locators Pittsburgh
• Beam Collaborative
• Allegheny County Department of Human Services
• Steel Smiling

Thank you to the organizations who continue to support and uplift the social work workforce.
Each year, more organizations across the region are choosing to show up and stand alongside the professionals doing this important work.
When social workers are supported, communities are stronger.

03/17/2026

Social workers are often the people systems depend on but rarely the people those systems are designed to sustain.
Today is World Social Work Day.

And while appreciation matters, sustaining this profession requires more than gratitude alone.

Every day across hospitals, schools, courts, and community organizations, social workers hold some of the most difficult moments in people’s lives.

Crisis.
Loss.
Trauma.
Systems that don’t always work the way they should.

Much of that work happens quietly — behind closed doors, in long days, and in spaces where impact isn’t always visible.

Recognition may not solve every challenge in the profession.

But it does something important.
It reminds social workers that their work is seen, valued, and worthy of appreciation.

That belief is part of why the SWAG Awards exist.

Because when social workers are supported and recognized, communities are stronger.

03/15/2026

Behind many social workers doing extraordinary work… there is someone standing beside them.

Someone encouraging them.
Grounding them.
Reminding them why the work matters.

That’s why we created the Andre B. Hemby “There For Me” Award.

This award was established in honor of my late father, Andre B. Hemby, whose steady presence and support shaped the lives of those around him. The award recognizes the parents, partners, mentors, caregivers, and supporters who stand behind social workers throughout their journey.

This year we were honored to recognize Bonnie Andrews, nominated by SWAG Awardee Dr. James H. Andrews

Although Bonnie is not formally a social worker, her impact on the profession is undeniable.
For decades, she has been a constant source of encouragement, perspective, and support throughout Dr. Andrews’ social work journey — from completing his MSW, to leadership in the field, to his service with the National Association of Social Workers and the long path to earning his PhD.

Her support reflects something we don’t always see when we celebrate this profession — the people who help sustain the social workers doing the work.
In every meaningful sense, Bonnie Andrews embodies the values of social work.

We were proud to honor her with the 2026 Andre B. Hemby “There For Me” Award at the 6th Annual SWAG Awards.
Because sometimes the people shaping this professio are the ones standing just outside the spotlight.

Who has been “there for you” in your social work journey?

03/14/2026

Last weekend more than 200 people gathered to celebrate social workers at the 6th Annual SWAG Awards.

But events like this don’t happen because of one person. They happen because of a team.
Today we want to pause and recognize the SWAG Committee — the people behind the scenes who helped make this celebration possible.

From planning meetings…
to reviewing nominations…
to coordinating logistics…
to helping the night run smoothly…
Your time, energy, and belief in this mission helped create a space where social workers could feel seen, celebrated, and appreciated.

The heartwork you poured into this event matters more than you know.

To our SWAG Committee —
thank you for helping us uplift the profession and the people who serve our communities every day.

We truly couldn’t do this without you.

03/13/2026

SWAG Awards Highlight

WATS GOING ON PITTSBURGH... 6TH ANNUAL S.W.A.G. AWARDS DINNER 2026.S.W.A.G. IS SOCIAL WORKER APPRECIATION OF GREATNESS WAS CO-FOUNDES BY SHARISE AND BILL NANCE.

03/12/2026

This is what Social Work is all about. Check out this message from Ms. Audrey Woods who has a tremendous amount of social work experience. She was able to attend the 6th Annual SWAG Awards recently to celebrate her fellow social workers.

03/11/2026

The 6th Annual Social Worker Appreciation of Greatness Awards (SWAG Awards) were held on March 7, 2026 at Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square. Over 200 guests were in attendance to honor social workers within the Greater Pittsburgh area. Congratulations to all of the honorees. Thank you to all the sponsors that contributed. Thank you the SWAG Awards Committee and the SWAG Alliance Foundation for the continued support.