What Social Work Taught Me About Leadership
March is National Social Work Month, and for me that recognition isn’t just symbolic. Social work is the foundation of how I understand leadership and public service.
Long before I ran for office, I spent my career as a social worker. That work changes the way you see the world. It teaches you to listen carefully, to look beyond the immediate problem, and to understand that the challenges families face are rarely isolated moments — they are often the result of systems that either support stability or make life harder than it needs to be.
Social workers learn quickly that policy decisions are never abstract. Behind every budget line is a person, a family, and a story.
In my work, I saw how access to mental health services could change the trajectory of a young person’s life. I saw how family support programs could keep children safe and help families stay together. I saw how community investment can create stability and opportunity where it didn’t exist before.
Those experiences are why prevention matters so much to me.
When families have access to stable housing, quality education, mental health support, and economic opportunity, communities thrive. When those supports are missing, people fall through the cracks and problems compound. By the time government reacts, families are already in crisis.
Social work teaches you that it doesn’t have to be that way.
That perspective continues to guide how I approach the work of this campaign. When I talk about affordability, healthcare access, child welfare, and safer communities, I’m thinking about the people and families I’ve worked alongside. I’m thinking about the systems that should be helping them succeed.
At its core, social work is rooted in dignity — the belief that every person deserves respect, that people should be heard, and that our institutions should work for the communities they serve.
Those are values I carry with me every day.
This month, I’m especially grateful for the social workers across our communities who show up every day to support families, advocate for justice, and strengthen the systems we all rely on. Their work often happens quietly and behind the scenes, but the impact is enormous.
Social work shaped who I am, and it continues to shape how I lead.
And it’s a big part of why I’m running.
THIS WEEK IN THE 27TH…
This week brought a few meaningful moments across our community.
I had the opportunity to attend the groundbreaking at The Moorings in Arlington Heights, where they are expanding their campus with 70 additional independent living apartments for older adults. Projects like this matter. As our communities grow and change, we need thoughtful investments that allow people to age with dignity, independence, and connection close to home.
I’m also excited to share that I was accepted into the Demand a Seat Spring Cohort, a program that supports leaders running for office while advancing conversations around gun safety and responsible policy solutions. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside advocates and leaders who are working toward safer communities.
There was also a fun moment out in the community when State Representative Mary Beth Canty and I ran into each other while doing what we both do best — being moms. Public service and parenthood often happen side by side, and it was a reminder that the people serving our communities are also raising families here too.
And finally, early voting is now open. If you haven’t already made a plan to vote, now is the time. Your voice matters, and every vote helps shape the future of our community.
Thank you to everyone who continues to show up, speak up, and invest in the work of shaping our shared future. I’m deeply grateful to be on this journey with you.
Let’s keep going—because together, we’re stronger.
With gratitude,
Carina Santa Maria
Candidate for Illinois State Senate, District 27