Meet Lyannie Gomez: Connecting Social Work, Advocacy and Civic Engagement Through NASW PACE
The NASW-Illinois Chapter is pleased to welcome Lyannie Gomez as the new NASW Political Action for Candidate Election (NASW PACE) Field Organizer for Illinois. Lyannie is passionate about social work, advocacy, civic engagement, and community organizing. In her role, Lyannie will help connect social workers, students, and community members with opportunities to engage in the political process and advocate for policies that support the individuals and communities that they serve. Her role is to connect, educate, organize, and engage, while respecting individuals ability to make their own decisions about their civic participation. Through these efforts, PACE provides an opportunity for social workers to participate in the electoral process and support candidates who understand and align with the social work profession's priorities.
WHY ADVOCATE?
Advocacy is not new to social workers. The social work profession calls on professionals to advocate for individuals and communities, help identify their needs, connect them with resources, and assess barriers for well-being. As social workers, you bring a unique perspective on the challenges facing the people and communities you serve. You see firsthand how access to healthcare, housing, education, mental health services, economic opportunities, and other resources can shape individuals’ lives. You see how larger systems and policies affect people’s everyday lives. Through civic engagement, social workers and students can change advocacy into action through electoral processes.
NASW acknowledges voter participation as a social work priority and notes that every government-level decision affects both the social workers and communities they serve. NASW also connects voter participation to the profession’s ethical responsibility to promote the positives of participation that shape social policies and institutions.
For social workers, civic engagement does not take place in direct practice. Instead, it enhances the advocacy that happens every day.
GET INVOLVED
Getting involved with NASW PACE is one of the many ways social workers and students can connect their professional commitment to advocacy with involvement in the electoral process. It is an opportunity to take the knowledge gained through social work education, values and experience and bring that perspective into civic spaces.
Interested in volunteering? Complete our Volunteer Interest Form to learn more and get connected with upcoming opportunities.
ABOUT NASW PACE
The NASW Political Action for Candidate Election (PACE) is the political action arm of the NASW. As a political action committee, PACE endorses and financially contributes to candidates from any party who support NASW's policy agenda. PACE builds political power for social workers through field organizers mobilizing NASW members to vote, through contributions to candidates who agree with NASW policy positions, and political training for members. For more, go to: https://www.socialworkers.org/Advocacy/PACE
