In honor of National Social Work Month, we would like to recognize Jennifer Jorge, LCSW, the Director of Community Services at the Motion Picture and Television Fund (MPTF). Jennifer was named as the co-chair of the Southern California Geriatric Social Work Education Consortium (GSWEC) Steering Committee early 2022, and we are ecstatic to have her onboard as not just an active GSWEC Alumni, but in a volunteer leadership role!
Jennifer started as a GSWEC Intern from 2005 to 2006, and since then has held teaching posts at the University of California, Los Angeles, California State University, Northridge, and done research at UCLA Department of Medicine – Geriatrics.
Jennifer’s experience as both an intern in the program and now as a supervisor of GSWEC interns at MPTF provides the GSWEC program with invaluable insights. Fellow GSWEC Co-Chair June Simmons, MSW, quotes, “Jennifer is a shining example of how that process has worked, and we are incredibly pleased to have her serving as co-chair of the consortium”.
Jennifer views social work as creative, evocative, challenging, and purposeful work, and reflects on the importance of understanding how relationships, the environment, and social systems, including systems of oppression, all play a part in an individual’s life. “For 2022, I am reminded that we must strive to continuously enhance our knowledge and skills to provide relevant and effective services to those we serve to our communities and to our profession,” “we must always look past the surface, past the barriers and look outside the box for solutions.”
Jennifer is grateful to work in a rewarding field that makes a difference in the lives of the people she serves, and in her community. Thank you for all that you do and for your leadership in GSWEC.