ELM: Reflections from a Social Work Perspective 

by Teresa Elliott, Intern

The social work profession was built on a foundation of six core values. These values serve as the guidepost for a social worker’s actions and as a filter through which we see the world. Our core values provide motivation to enact change and create and embrace solutions.

Throughout the nine months of my internship at Elder Law of Michigan (ELM), I saw time and time again how the same core values are reflected in the work that ELM does. As a non-profit serving the needs of Michigan’s 60+ population as well as persons with disabilities of any age, ELM embodies the essence of the six core social work values:

• Service: To provide help, resources,  and benefits to help people achieve maximum potential.
• Social Justice: To uphold equal rights, protection, opportunity, and social benefits for everyone.
• Dignity and worth of the person: To respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person.
• Importance of human relationships: To value the central importance of human relationships.
• Integrity: To behave in a trustworthy manner.
• Competence: To practice within areas of competence and continue to develop and enhance professional expertise.

Everyone at ELM is committed to their mission to advocate for, educate and assist Michigan’s seniors by providing effective solutions that improve quality of life involving economic security, legal solutions and much needed peace of mind. I am proud to say I have been a member of the ELM organization.

I will miss my ELM colleagues and will miss working with the persons we serve!