Jacqueline Sanchez Young

2022 Ruth Schwartz
School Social Worker of the Year Awardee

Jacqueline "Jackie" Sanchez Young from the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns was selected as the 2022 New York State School Social Workers’ Associations’ recipient of the Ruth Schwartz School Social Worker of the Year Award.

 
Sharon O' Grady, Assistant Principal noted:  "Ms. Sanchez-Young is truly the heart of our school building.  She spends every minute of her day supporting students, families, and staff members, and develops strong relationships with everyone she encounters.  She puts her heart and soul into everything she does, and is an integral member of our school community.  We would not be able to do what we do without Ms. Sanchez-Young!"  

School psychologist, Dr. Diana Longobucco, stated: "In all of my professional experience, I have never had the privilege, like I have had with Mrs. Sanchez-Young.  She is  a consummate professional who genuinely has a passion for working with children and families.  I have been honored to learn from her and feel blessed to call her my colleague and friend."

A staff person and parent wrote:  "I have witnessed elementary students at our school struggling with problems.  When they are scheduled to see Mrs. Sanchez Young, they are relieved. She provides a safe place for students to communicate their problems and navigate a path to resolution. Many years ago my son was being bullied at school. He joined a social skills group and made such strides under her guidance."

Other colleagues noted that "She works hard to develop meaningful relationships not only with our students, but with their entire family. These relationships do not end once the child leaves our building, and we have people return years later to thank her.  The other day we had a parent come in, and she shared how much this School Social Worker supported her older daughters, who are now grown, and that they still speak so highly of her. She is always willing to go the extra mile to give our students and families what they need to be successful socially, emotionally and academically. Although she has a full schedule with group and individual counseling sessions, she always finds the time to meet with a child or parent in need. When meeting with parents in highly emotional circumstances, this School Social Worker has the ability to build bridges and develop trust between all parties. She plays an integral role in our annual Gently Used Clothing Sale, helping to make sure people get what they need. She pours her heart, knowledge and all of the resources she has into meeting the needs of students, staff, families and the community. She is authentic, genuine, and compassionate, and these characteristics transcend all situations. Ms. Sanchez-Young is someone that you instantly trust, and we truly do not know what we would do without her here!"

Let us congratulate Jacqueline Sanchez-Young as the well deserved recipient of the 2022 Ruth Schwartz School Social Worker of the Year Award.

Award presented by Wendy Castiglia, NYSSSWA President

The Ruth Efron Schwartz School Social Worker of the Year Award is awarded to a School Social Worker who exemplifies the qualities that Ruth Schwartz exemplified throughout her career as a School Social Worker. Ruth Schwartz believed in the importance of School Social Workers. She believed in helping the children and families in her care. Ruth often went the extra mile, including delivering coal to family’s homes when needed. Ruth was a founding member of NYSSSWA. She was responsible for picking the organization’s colors-blue to encourage students to reach for the sky, and white to encourage School Social Workers to be pure and true in their work with children. The award is given to a School Social worker who is both dedicated to helping the children and families in their care and to promotion of the profession of School Social Worker.