 Hi, I'm Stephanie Cadu, BC's Minister of Children and Family Development. As we celebrate Social Work Week in British Columbia, I want to use this opportunity to thank you for the tremendous job you do each and every day to support children and families in our province. Social workers and those in similar professions are an essential part of our social safety net. Serving in our hospitals, our schools, mental health and treatment facilities, child and family programs, youth outreach, resource and counseling centers, and on the front lines of our child protection system. The BC public service is fortunate to employ many thousands of social workers, clinicians and other frontline staff, and thousands more practice their profession as part of non-profit agencies and community organizations. Yours is a tough job with very high stakes. Day and night, you respond to some of the most challenging situations to help vulnerable British Columbians. Whether they are in crisis or in need of help, you take those extra steps to ensure that the most vulnerable members of our society have access to the services and resources that they need. You provide guidance, sound judgment and a steadying influence. You give of yourselves to make life better for others, and for that, you have my sincerest respect and gratitude. On behalf of government and the people of British Columbia, please accept our greatest thanks and appreciation for all that you do to strengthen the lives of BC's children and families. You are making BC a better place to live.