{"id":71556,"date":"2025-03-25T12:36:59","date_gmt":"2025-03-25T19:36:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=71556"},"modified":"2025-03-25T12:36:59","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T19:36:59","slug":"barger-honors-social-workers-heroism-after-eaton-fire-as-l-a-county-supervisors-declare-march-national-social-work-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=71556","title":{"rendered":"Barger Honors Social Workers\u2019 Heroism After Eaton Fire as L.A. County Supervisors Declare March National Social Work Month"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Supervisor Barger poses with representatives from Sycamores, Five Acres, and Bourne Family Services during today’s Board of Supervisors meeting (Photo credit: Bryan Chan\/L.A. County)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger today honored three foster youth agencies\u2014Five Acres<\/strong>,\u00a0Sycamores<\/strong>, and\u00a0Bourne Family Services<\/strong>\u2014for their extraordinary dedication and swift action in response to the Eaton Fire. Their heroic efforts ensured the safety and well-being of vulnerable children in the midst of the crisis.<\/p>\n

The recognition comes as the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a\u00a0motion<\/a>\u00a0by Supervisor Barger proclaiming March 2025 as National Social Work Month in Los Angeles County. This designation aligns with the National Association of Social Workers\u2019 theme, \u201cSocial Work: Compassion + Action,\u201d highlighting the indispensable role social workers play in uplifting the county\u2019s most vulnerable residents during times of hardship.<\/p>\n

Foster Youth Agencies\u2019 Heroic Response to the Eaton Fire<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Five Acres<\/strong><\/p>\n

Established in 1888,\u00a0Five Acres<\/a>\u00a0was prepared for disaster when the Eaton Fire swept through Altadena. Upon receiving an evacuation order in the early morning of January 8, the Five Acres team swiftly relocated both their Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program and Shelter Care within 15 minutes. Once safely evacuated, social workers provided ongoing support, including care for a six-year-old who had arrived at the shelter just hours before.<\/p>\n

\u201cDespite the terrifying circumstances, the Five Acres team remained an unwavering anchor for foster youth,\u201d said\u00a0Supervisor Kathryn Barger<\/strong>. \u201cEven with 25% of their staff displaced by the fire, their professionalism and dedication never wavered. They put children first, and that is truly commendable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sycamores<\/strong><\/p>\n

With a history dating back to 1902,\u00a0Sycamores<\/a>\u00a0has long been a cornerstone of support for youth in the Altadena region. As the fire encroached on their Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program, Sycamores\u2019 social workers safely evacuated all youth to an alternative site, where they continued providing services for 20 days.<\/p>\n

Additionally, Sycamores\u2019 staff went above and beyond by helping displaced families navigate complex paperwork to access resources and secure temporary housing.<\/p>\n

Bourne Family Services<\/strong><\/p>\n

Founded in 1999,\u00a0Bourne Family Services<\/a>\u00a0provides residential care and mental health support to at-risk youth. The Eaton Fire destroyed their Altadena site, displacing five teenage girls who lost all of their belongings. Despite this devastation, staff remained committed to their mission, securing temporary housing and raising funds to replace the girls\u2019 personal items.<\/p>\n

\u201cBourne has an amazing team of dedicated professionals who provide round-the-clock care for at-risk youth,\u201d said\u00a0Timothy Tucker, Chief Executive Officer of Bourne Family Services<\/strong>. \u201cEven as they faced their own losses, their unwavering commitment to the young people we serve never faltered. The recognition we\u2019ve received today is deeply humbling.\u201d<\/p>\n

L.A. County\u2019s Social Workers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Los Angeles County employs thousands of social workers across multiple departments, each playing a vital role in delivering essential services to residents. These professionals serve in a variety of capacities, including:<\/p>\n