Joe Rodriguez-Chapman (top) watches his children play with social worker John Fuher (center). Fuher helped the family get into a furnished apartment after living for months in hotels. Photo courtesy of the Grand Forks Herald.

Cheers to the Grand Forks Herald in North Dakota for this article about John Fuher, a Grand Forks Valley Middle School social worker who is dedicated to helping homeless families find permanent places to live.

Instead of just working with housing authorities to find vacant apartments Fuher emails hundreds of other school system employees to get furniture, bedding, dishes and other goods that families need to get started in their new homes.

He also enlists middle school students to collect donations.

“We filled that apartment with a Christmas tree, lights, a microwave — everything, down to the dustpan,” Fuher said of one family he helped. “We gave them absolutely everything. When we finished, the family was overwhelmed — they were crying, hugging.”

To learn more about how social workers help children and families in need visit the National Association of Social Workers’ “Help Starts Here” Kids and Families website by clicking here.