The Social Worker / Le travailleur social

In this episode of The Social Worker Podcast, we speak with Francesca Serwaa as part of CASW’s special series celebrating 100 years of social work in Canada.Francesca brings us into a conversation about mental health, addictions, Black communities, justice, reintegration, representation, and care. She reflects on her path into social work, from her early interest in psychiatry to placements in harm reduction and justice-related spaces that shaped her commitment to supporting people navigating complex systems.Together, we explore what it means to build trust with Black and racialized service users, especially in communities where stigma, silence, and “keeping things in the home” can make accessing support feel difficult. Francesca speaks with honesty about the power of representation, the importance of confidentiality, and the responsibility social workers carry when they are trusted with people’s stories.She also invites us to think differently about advocacy. Not only as protest, policy, or public action, but as the everyday work of connecting someone to support, helping a person reintegrate with dignity, naming barriers, and reminding people that they are not alone.And in a field where we are continuously talking about self-care, Francesca leaves us with a grounding reminder: boundaries are not a failure of care. They are part of how we continue. They are part of how we turn guilt into strength.

In this episode of The Social Worker Podcast, presented by the Canadian Association of Social Workers, we’re joined by Jaeyell Kim, a Korean-Canadian social worker, educator, and mental health advocate whose work is deeply rooted in supporting youth, newcomers, and families across Canada.Jaeyell shares his journey into social work, shaped by his own lived experience navigating racism, migration, and identity. From being one of the only Korean-speaking social workers in his community to building more accessible and culturally responsive care, his story highlights the critical role of representation in mental health services.In this conversation, we explore:What “transitional trauma” means and how it impacts newcomers navigating unfamiliar systemsThe realities of language barriers, stigma, and access to care in immigrant communitiesHow culturally grounded practice can build trust, safety, and connectionJaeyell’s creative use of comics and storytelling to make mental health more approachableHis advice to the next generation of social workers on cultural humility and lifelong learningThis episode is a powerful reminder that social work is not just about services — it’s about understanding, belonging, and meeting people where they are.

Alors que nous continuons à célébrer le Mois national du travail social et le centenaire de l’ACTS, le balado Le Travailleur social a l’honneur d’accueillir Marie-Michèle Doiron et Gaëlle Troude, de l’AQTS. Marie-Michèle est travailleuse sociale depuis 2009 et exerce à Québec, où elle travaille au sein du réseau de la santé et s’implique actuellement dans le milieu syndical et les négociations. Gaëlle, travailleuse sociale depuis l’obtention de sa maîtrise, a bâti sa carrière dans des milieux communautaires et institutionnels à Montréal, avec un engagement profond envers la collaboration et la pratique systémique. Dans cet épisode spécial, Marie-Michèle et Gaëlle racontent comment leur parcours personnel dans le travail social a commencé, ainsi que le cheminement qui a mené à la création de l’Association québécoise des travailleuses sociales et travailleurs sociaux (AQTS) — une association professionnelle dédiée à la représentation et à la défense des travailleurs sociaux à travers le Québec. Dans cet épisode, elles reviennent sur : Leurs parcours uniques vers le travail social et ce qui continue d’inspirer leur pratique La création d’une association provinciale et l’importance d’une voix collective La distinction entre les ordres professionnels, les associations et les syndicats La nécessité d’une plus grande reconnaissance et visibilité de la profession Leurs espoirs pour l’avenir du travail social au cours des 100 prochaines années

As we continue celebrating National Social Work Month and 100 years of social work in Canada, we’re honoured to feature Julia Falzarano on The Social Worker Podcast. Julia shares how her journey began in pediatric health and nutrition before she realized social work aligned more deeply with her holistic values. After completing her BSW, Julia found her calling in grief and loss. In this powerful conversation, Julia reflects on: Anticipatory grief and how loss reshaped her practice Building her own practice with a bereavement leave fund The barriers people face when seeking grief support Her vision for a clearer “map” to help individuals and families navigate grief resources Through free monthly workshops for young people navigating loss, Julia is expanding access to grief-informed care and raising awareness about the fragility and sensitivity of grief. This episode reminds us that social work is everywhere - in policy spaces, in private practice, in community workshops, and in the quiet moments of holding space for loss.