March is Social Work Month! This month, we celebrate the indispensable work of our social workers at the San Bernardino County Public Defender’s Office.

Social workers have specialized training in helping people access the resources they need to survive and thrive. In the past year of global crisis, our social workers have been essential to our office’s client-centered, holistic defense mission. They have taken the time to assess the needs of the community and found the best ways to assist. They have approached every obstacle with positivity, and they have firmly advocated for their clients during a very difficult and uneasy time. They have been innovative, relentless, and resilient.

Thank you to our social workers, a core part of the Public Defender’s Office!

Below are just some of our social workers’ community outreach efforts from the past year.

Two women stand on either side of a large sign with a picture of a girl that reads Shoes That Fit
A woman in a black top and gray pants holds a shoe box next to a large sign with a picture of a girl that reads Shoes That Fit

Shoe drive for Shoes That Fit

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New Hope–Probation Collab Spring 2020
Two people stand by a pickup truck loaded with boxes of supplies. A third person approaches the truck with more supplies in bags.
New Hope–Probation Collab Spring 2020
Three people wearing face masks pose next to a pickup truck filled with boxes of supplies.

Food drive in collaboration with New Hope, a program of Victor Valley’s Abundant Living Family Church, and San Bernardino County Probation

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A woman hands a package of face masks to a man. Both are wearing face masks.

Face mask donation to New Hope

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A large group of people pose in the sunlight in front of several covered booths.

Back-to-school event with Young Visionaries

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Two women hold several black backpacks each as they stand on either side of a sign for IE Rebound.

Backpack drive with IE Rebound

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Three women hold on to metal carts piled high with boxes filled with gifts.
Four women women pose with metal carts piled high with boxes filled with gifts.
A large number of black gift bags lined up on the floor

Celebration of Giving 2020, with gift bags prepared for families participating in SBCPD’s award-winning Children United Through Empowerment (C.U.T.E.) initiative as well as families of other clients in need