It's Social Work Appreciation Month, and we're blessed to have our very own Licensed Master Social Worker on the Red Mountain Grace team! Lindsey Smith joined our team as the Patient Coordinator last year, and her expertise in social work has changed our organization for the better.

As the Patient Coordinator, Lindsey oversees volunteers, facilitates guest visits and handles referrals from the hospital social workers. Most of her work is behind the scenes, so we decided to shine a spotlight on her and give her center stage. Here's what Lindsey had to say!

How did you get into social work?
"When I was 18, I didn't know exactly what I wanted to be. I remember going to a couple of interest classes and the idea of social work aligned most with my skills and desire to serve and help others. Social work encompassed a lot of options so I decided to pursue it. I found that I enjoyed my classes, and eventually, I did an internship with Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

Following my internship, I worked at a summer camp, and I watched my social work skills transfer well outside the classroom. One of my favorite things about social work is that every person has their own experiences to bring to the table to be put to use. At the heart of every social worker is the desire to understand others, extend empathy, and use communication and dignity to serve them best."

How does a license in social work make a difference in your job?
"I think my training in case management makes all the difference in my role. I like to view our families as individuals, each with their own unique situations and strengths. It helps to see them this way, because no situation is just alike and everyone is at a different part of their journey.

I've learned that being present in the bad times and the "milestone" moments is a valuable thing. As a licensed master social worker, your main objective is to approach each case with holistic view and humility because you know they're going through a lot. They're far away from home, so we want to make this transition as easy as possible."

I constantly think of questions like this:
Do they know where the hospital is?
Let's get them a map or teach them how to use the GPS.

Did they have a lung transplant?
Make sure to get them a ground level apartment, because stairs are their worst enemy.

Do they have space for their children?
Can they get out of the car easily?
Do they know where the apartment mailbox is?
Do they need emotional support or extra volunteer care?

Keeping up with all the details is hard work, but this job has allowed me to learn more about caring for the needs of others. I've also crossed paths with people I normally wouldn’t have been able to encounter. I've met families from all over — Mississippi, Virginia, even Colombia.

Every moment and interaction has purpose, and the Lord uses all of them. I hope to be a good steward of these moments. Since God has orchestrated this moment, what will I do with it? What can we do with it? That’s why I like to incorporate the volunteers because these guests need to meet them too. The Lord wants all kinds of people to do his good work."

What's your day-to-day look like?
"Each day holds its own agenda. I work with the guests and their families mostly. I coordinate when a family checks-in, what apartment suits their needs best, and I become their advocate (and friend) in every way. I enjoy visiting with them and connecting them with others so they feel supported.

I've given rides to appointments, picked up extra cleaning supplies, and some days I deliver donuts, because who doesn't like donuts?

No two days are the same, but I like that. I definitely feel like I can bring my strengths and passion and creativity to each moment. Sometimes that looks like celebrating their birthday with a shopping trip. One of our guests, Katrena, hadn’t celebrated a birthday outside of a hospital for two years. I reached out to our volunteer to make a birthday banner, and we got to give her a cake. She was blown away!

We get to create this little ecosystem of support, and it's fun to see it happen!"

How can someone volunteer with Red Mountain Grace?
"You can sign up here! There's so many ways to get involved and support a guest and their family. Our volunteers serve by cleaning an apartment to prepare it for the next guest, some bring meals to the apartment, and some even put together a new floor lamp during a visit to brighten up the apartment.

One of my favorite things to see is when volunteers decorate with new furniture and when they sponsor our essential drives using our Amazon WishList. (You wouldn't believe the amount of cleaning supplies we go through!)

The unique part about our volunteer team is that you can be creative. We all have something to give!"