Assistant Program Director of our Family Support & Stabilization Program Thara Young Earns Her MSW

Many of our staff are pursuing their educational goals while working with us, and it's important that we celebrate and support staff when they achieve those goals. This week, we're excited to announce that Thara Young, Assistant Program Director of our Family Support & Stabilization Program, recently earned her MSW from Boston University! Thara has worked at CFCS since 2014.  

Back in 2019, Thara was awarded the 2019 Providers' Council Graduate Leadership Scholarship. The scholarship supports people working in human services as they continue their professional development through education. Thara articulated why continuing her education is so important to her in this beautiful excerpt from her personal statement. “Although confident in the work that I do, I firmly believe that learning never stops. Part of growing and adapting to societal change is education and training. A graduate education would allow me to achieve my personal career goals but most importantly, would help me further my growth by receiving the necessary training needed to be a positive influence in this field.” 

This is how earning her MSW has impacted her life and her career. 

What does this milestone mean to you on a professional level? And on a personal level? 

On a professional level, obtaining my Master’s increases my opportunities for advancement as I gain invaluable experience that will continue to help me grow in the human services field. As Assistant Director of the FSS Program, I truly value what I do every day, as well as the support we are able to provide to our families. With additional education and training, it opens up the door for more avenues to help others.  

There’s a quote by Denzel Washington that says “At the end of the day, it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished. It’s about what you’ve done with those accomplishments. It’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back”. On a personal level, this milestone propels me to move forward and allows me to be able to continue giving back to my community. Outside of CFCS, I’ve been working with a large group of youth for the past 12 years and I feel better equipped to provide them with what they need. Gaining additional knowledge and experience goes beyond just the workplace, and can also extend into our personal lives. 

What's your favorite thing to do at your job? 

I love building relationships and creating an atmosphere of learning for the team in an effort to build up leaders. I think it’s important to plant seeds in order to promote growth. I also really love being able to see families who have been able to get on their feet because of the guidance and support that we were able to provide them. Being part of that transition is truly heart-warming.  

What's one of your favorite goals, big or small, you hope to achieve in your work? 

It is my goal to leave a lasting imprint on everyone that I’ve come in contact with. I have a passion to help others and truly believe it’s in my DNA. There is no greater honor than being allowed to step into the center of someone’s pain and being able to walk them through it. Advocating and empowering individuals and families is something that is so important to me. As an individual with parents who are not natives to this country, I know first-hand what it feels like growing up without a support system or having the necessary resources needed to thrive. I want to be a part of breaking that cycle, not only for my own family but for those that we serve on a daily basis. I have the opportunity to advocate for those that feel helpless; help protect the ones who are fearful and vulnerable; and empower all to see that there is hope. I’ve learned that people can be divided into three groups: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened. I want to make things happen.