The Power of Social Workers

Celebrating Social Work Month at Prime CHD

Each March, organizations across the country pause to honor the essential contributions of social workers, the professionals who uplift individuals, strengthen families, and build more resilient communities. At Prime CHD, Social Work Month is more than a recognition on the calendar. It is a celebration of the people whose compassion, expertise, and commitment shape the daily experiences of our residents and help advance our mission of supporting housing stability and community wellbeing. This year’s national theme, “Social Workers: Uplift. Defend. Transform.”, reflects the heart of what our team does every day. Whether through direct resident support, program development, community-building, or data-driven evaluation, social workers at Prime CHD play a vital role in ensuring that every resident has the opportunity to thrive.

Social Work at Prime CHD

Prime CHD is proud to have three staff members with social work degrees and three graduate-level interns completing their field placements with us. Their work spans resident services, program development, community engagement, and organizational evaluation— demonstrating the breadth of the social work profession and its deep relevance to affordable housing.

We are also grateful for our strong university partnerships, which allow us to mentor emerging social workers and expand our capacity to serve residents. Our field placement partners include:

• The Ohio State University

• Virginia Commonwealth University

• Norfolk State University

• West Virginia University

• James Madison University

• George Mason University

• Mary Baldwin University

• Catholic University of America

These partnerships strengthen our mission and ensure that future social workers gain hands-on experience in community-based practice.

How Social Work Strengthens Housing & Resident Services

Affordable housing is about more than buildings—it is about people. Social workers help bridge the gap between housing and the supports residents need to maintain stability, access resources, and build community.

At Prime CHD, social workers:

• Assist residents in navigating complex systems such as Medicaid, SNAP, and local social services

• Provide crisis intervention and resource coordination

• Develop programs that support mental health, nutrition, youth development, and community engagement

• Use data and evaluation to strengthen services and measure impact

• Advocate for residents’ needs and promote equitable access to opportunities

Their work embodies the core values of the profession: dignity, service, social justice, integrity, and the importance of human relationships.

Q&A Spotlight: Voices of Our Social Work Team

To celebrate Social Work Month, we asked our social workers and interns to reflect on their work, their motivations, and the impact they see every day. Their responses offer a powerful window into the heart of social work at Prime CHD.

Edie Norwillo, BSW — Resident Service Coordinator

What inspired you to pursue social work?

“I have always enjoyed helping others. A degree in social work allows me to be very hands on with individuals who otherwise may not be able to access the benefits that would fit their needs.

” What feels most meaningful in your work?

“Helping seniors access or renew their Medicaid and SNAP benefits. Being able to help them with a lengthy document which looks daunting to them and being the voice they would not otherwise have when contacting their local department of social services.”

What have you learned at Prime CHD?

“I used to struggle with self-determination. I have now learned that being able to give an individual a few options and letting them select which is best for THEM is a great tool.”

Autumn Grove, MSW Student — Resident Service Intern

What inspired your path to social work?

“Working in the school system gave me a very close look at some of the ways that people in my community need support. So much goes on in others' lives behind the scenes that society at large doesn't necessarily address or validate.”

What part of your work is most meaningful?

“I love feeling like I've made a difference! Being able to create or find resources for those experiencing financial hardship is especially meaningful to me. I have seen and experienced first-hand how necessary community support is to basic survival. I love being able to aid in Prime CHD residents forging bonds with one another through community events, even from a distance.”

What have you learned at Prime CHD?

“My experience at Prime CHD has really opened my eyes to all the various ways I can be of assistance to others, from helping them find the means to meet their basic needs to encouraging residents to become more civically active to giving them the space to just breathe and be amongst their community members for a moment. There is need everywhere, not just in the places that you would immediately expect.”

Halie Greenslait, MSW — Monitoring & Evaluation Coordinator

What inspires your work?

“I was inspired by the mission of upholding social justice and building strong communities.” How do social work values show up in your role? “Because I work with the numbers of the organization, I feel I see many social work values simply by the numbers improving at our properties.”

What have you learned in your role?

“I have learned that systems are everything. If you have strong systems, you will have a strong base for understanding how effective services are and how well residents are being served.”

Patrick Williams, MSW — Executive Director

What skills or insights from your social work education have been most useful in your work here?

“I believe interpersonal skills have been the most beneficial. They have allowed me to build trusting relationships with stakeholders. Whether it’s getting to know a resident, a community partner, Board members, or funders, knowing how to communicate, listening to their perspective, and understanding both their needs and my own has helped me build trust and support my work.”

Why do you believe social work is essential in affordable housing and resident services?

“Social work is essential in affordable housing and resident services because it puts the person at the center of the work. At the macro level, social work advocates for policy changes that support the development of more affordable housing for Americans. In resident services, social work helps address the mezzo and micro levels by collaborating with community service providers to address community and individual challenges that can impact housing stability and improve their overall quality of life.”

What motivates you to keep doing this work, even on challenging days?

"I’m naturally motivated by challenges. I’m even more motivated when those challenges involve combating societal issues, such as the lack of affordable housing and opportunities that affect individuals and families’ ability to thrive. My work is bigger than me. Knowing that every minute at work might make a difference continues to motivate me, even on challenging days."

Joe Brown, MSW Student — Resident Service Intern

What inspired your path to social work?

“I wanted to work in a capacity where I could contribute daily to making the lives of those that I interact with better. I have always had a desire to serve and wanted to add a deeper level of meaning and impact to that service.”

What part of your work feels most rewarding?

“I enjoy opportunities where I can see the fruits of my labor come to fruition with the residents. Right now, I am working on my Capstone Project, which is tailored to improve mental health and nutrition literacy in our younger residents at one of our communities. Seeing the kids enjoy this project, have fun, and grow their knowledgebase has been incredibly rewarding.”

Why is social work essential in affordable housing?

“Social work is the cornerstone of affordable housing and resident services work. The values that we honor as a social worker are incorporated into our daily practice and are the means with which we serve our residents. Advocacy, empathy, empowerment, and encouragement—these social work values fuel the work we do with our residents in the affordable housing environment.”

Why Social Work Matters in Affordable Housing

Across all their roles, our social workers share a common belief: housing stability and social support are deeply interconnected. Without social work, many residents would face barriers that make it difficult to maintain housing, access resources, or build community connections.

As Halie put it, “Affordable housing without social work lacks the support that so many need. Social work gives residents tools to overcome barriers and improve their circumstances.”

This belief is echoed across our team—through every Medicaid application completed, every community event hosted, every youth program developed, and every data point analyzed to strengthen services.

Looking Ahead

Prime CHD remains committed to supporting and expanding our social work team, strengthening our university partnerships, and continuing to build programs that uplift residents and communities. The work of our social workers is essential to our mission, and we are proud to celebrate their contributions not just in March, but every day.

To our social workers and interns: thank you. Your dedication, compassion, and expertise transform lives and strengthen communities. You embody the spirit of Social Work Month— and the values that make Prime CHD a place where residents can thrive.