By Michael Song, ABLE2 Program Manager
Being a social worker was never in the cards. Originally, I set my sights on a career in graphic design, but I found myself at a crossroads when this did not work out in the way that I had hoped. Unsure of what was next, I decided to interview people from different fields and get a better understanding of their jobs. One conversation that stood out for me was with a Social Worker. On the surface, Social Work and Graphic Design appear to be drastically different. However, they share a lot of similar characteristics— helping people identify a problem and achieve their goals. Both jobs suggest solutions but, in the end, respect the direction the client wants. In the same way, both roles do well in seeing underlying problems that need to be addressed, beyond the presented problem.
Ultimately, I wanted to help people in a way that is meaningful to them. And this can be done in different ways— you can work in a bookstore and help people, and it still is important. However, being in the social work field resonated more for me. Since then, I have worked at the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Goodwill, and the Government of Nunavut. I’m glad that I took this direction in my career as I’ve had the fortune of working with a diverse range of people throughout my career.
I joined ABLE2 in 2015 as a Social Worker with the Matching Program. I found that it was a unique experience wherein the program was focused on mobilizing the community to help address a need, rather than being the person who provides all the support. The Matching Program also addressed something that is rarely addressed by other programs— the social connection that all people need. It has been very rewarding, working toward fulfilling a want that is vital to the human condition, but strangely overlooked by society.
In 2022, I became Program Manager of all of ABLE2’s programs and services. I oversee the Matching Program, Adult-Protective Services Worker (APSW) Investment, Funding Brokerage, and the Fetal Alcohol Resource Program (FARP). My typical day is spent doing the administrative but needed activities that keep the organization functioning— checking emails and responding to questions and requests. However, what is different is that I get to work on challenging issues to ensure that programs operate smoothly. Together with the team, I help identify and address matters that may arise or proactively anticipate problems. I also spend time doing research on various topics related to our program, to help ensure that our work continues to be relevant and identify opportunities where we may be able to grow. The biggest challenge has been finding a good balance between continuing to do what we do best and knowing when to push and take risks. We can’t jump at every opportunity that appears, but we need to know when a risk may be worth the effort.
Some of my time is also spent on working on being a better Manager. I am new to this and have a lot more to learn. I’ve made plenty of mistakes and I will probably make more, but like I tell my team, it’s not so much about making mistakes, but how you can learn from them and be better. I’ve also committed myself to cultivating a healthy work environment for my team. It’s a work in progress, but I think it’s important that people work in an environment where they can do their best, be treated as adults, while continuing to push for high standards for them to achieve. I believe that if I treat my team like friends, I fail them. If I treat my team as assets to use, I fail them. I strive to keep the balance between ensuring the team is taken care of and feeling secure but still pushing them to do their best and to grow beyond their comfort zones. We provide a service, but that service is delivered by people who care and want to make a difference— we can’t ignore the passion our staff have for what we do, but at the same time we always need to strive for excellence, not just to deliver quality services, but also for the team to excel and take pride in what they do.
Lastly, Social Work is, at its core, about helping the people we support to navigate the barriers and create opportunities for them to thrive. Together with the team, we build connections, strengthen communities, and empower individuals to create the life that is meaningful to them. At ABLE2, we see firsthand how the right supports can make a difference—whether it’s providing the tools they need to live independently, helping reduce their isolation and loneliness, or equipping families with the resources to advocate for their loved ones.
This work matters, and it doesn’t happen without the support of people who believe in inclusion, dignity, and the power of human connection. If you believe in the importance of building a community where everyone has the chance to thrive, I encourage you to support ABLE2—whether by donating, volunteering, or simply learning more about the impact we can make together.