What Is Hope?

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School Children Wearing Masks

by Rebecca K. Oliver, LMSW, CSW

     If you pull out your dictionary (old school) or look in an online dictionary or Google search, it is likely that you will see that there are multiple definitions for the word hope. In a quick Google search, the definitions from Oxford Languages include:

            noun

1. a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.
2. a feeling of trust.

            verb 

1. want something to happen or be the case.

     Similarly, when looking in the online Dictionary.com site, the following definitions are listed:

          noun 

1. the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.
2. a particular instance of this feeling.

            verb  

1. to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.
2. to believe, desire, or trust.

     Some of these definitions seem to indicate that hope is mere wishful thinking. When I think of hope, a different meaning or image comes to mind.

     As an animal lover and dog owner, when I think of “hope,” the image that pops in my mind is my little 14-year-old schnoodle sitting in the front window looking out when I come home. It is as if she knows it is time for my arrival. She sits, quietly at first, and then as I am pulling my car into the garage, I can hear her barking in delight, knowing that I am home. To me, hope is more than just wishful thinking. Hope is a belief. Hope is a trust. Hope is not a vague or a lofty thought; hope is a reasonable confidence. Abby doesn’t just hope I will come home as some lofty wish. Abby has a quiet (or loud) reasonable confidence that I will return, because I have so many times before, and she looks forward (with confidence) to being with her owner.

     The week of March 7-13, 2021, marks the celebration of School Social Work Week. Under the leadership of the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA), the premiere national organization exclusively dedicated to the profession of school social work, this celebration will emphasize school social work contributions of focusing on the “whole-child,” linking families to community resources, providing a valuable voice as part of the school’s multi-disciplinary team, and advocating for the profession of school social work. With the theme of “Beacon of Hope: School Social Workers – Lighting the Way,” school social work professionals across the country will be able to highlight and celebrate how they bring hope into the lives of students, families, and school communities. 

School social workers enhance the learning and success of students by focusing on the whole child and offering hope for a better tomorrow.

     School social workers place high value on relationship building while empowering students and offering a voice for marginalized youth. School social work professionals offer a safe space for students, listen to the feelings and needs of students, value a student’s experience and self-determination, and can be counted on by the students in their care – offering young people a reasonable confidence that they are heard, cared for, valued, and supported. School social workers also provide skills and strategies, mental health services, tiered-supports, and social/emotional/behavioral interventions to assist the student in overcoming barriers that are interfering with their learning, thus building meaningful hope.

School social workers offer hope and support students and their families by linking to school and community resources.

     Working from an ecological perspective and emphasizing a strengths-based approach, school social workers engage with families to leverage needed resources. School social workers promote a continuum of services while honoring a family’s cultural identity. Serving as a link to the community, school social workers connect families to needed community services, thus building a reasonable confidence that needs will be met and support is available.    

School social workers support the school community and fellow school professionals by contributing to a team approach.

     School social workers highly value the contributions of all school personnel: administrators, teachers, counselors, school psychologists, school nurses, and all support staff. School social workers actively participate in team collaboration and problem-solving while advocating for student voice and promoting family involvement.  School social workers offer a unique contribution to the school team as they facilitate engagement between student, family, school, and community. 

School social workers make a difference in the lives of students, families, and school communities and make their voices heard through advocacy.

     School social workers are trained mental health professionals with a degree in social work. School social workers provide services related to a student’s social, emotional, and life experiences that may interfere with school success. School social workers advocate for needed system change and challenge issues of social injustice. School social workers play a valuable role in the school setting as they promote and support students’ academic and social/emotional/behavioral success. 

School social workers are vital, valuable, and visible professionals contributing to the success of students! The profession of school social work has a rich history, offers current contributions, and has a bright future.

     Join us as we celebrate School Social Work Week 2021. Thank a school social worker. Recognize a school socialworker. Promote school social work.

#SSWweek2021 #BeaconofHope

Rebecca K. Oliver, LMSW, CSW, is the Executive Director of the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA). Prior to her role as the Executive Director, Oliver served on the SSWAA Board of Directors and was a leader in her home state of Texas, serving in various capacities. She spent more than 20 years in Round Rock ISD outside of Austin, serving students, families, and her community as a school social worker.

SSWAA is a professional membership organization aimed at empowering School Social Worker and promoting the profession.  SSWAA assists School Social Workers as they work to expand their knowledge, elevate their practice, and engage with their profession.