We really like the The New York Times series “The Neediest Cases” because it often highlights how social workers help people.

A recent article on 18-year-old Elsa Sanchez is just another example. Sanchez, a former student at Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics, was painfully shy and didn’t participate in many activities. A social worker referred her to the Children’s Aid Society, where Elsa entered a program that helped her build confidence, improve grades, and go on to college.

“I was always in that shell, but thanks to the Corporate Workplace Program, I somehow broke out of it,” Elsa said.

Our only quibble is that the New York Times didn’t identify the social worker who reached out to Elsa! To read the full story click here.

Photo of Elsa Sanchez courtesy of the New York Times.

To learn more about how social workers help teenagers, visit the National Association of Social Workers “Help Starts Here” Youth Development Web page by clicking here.