During National Social Work Month, we’re proud to celebrate Garrett, a dedicated social worker whose career reflects the heart, perseverance, and compassion that define this profession. Garrett has been a social worker since 2001 and has spent nearly his entire career at Stanford Sierra Youth & Families. This past January, he marked 22 years and counting with the organization, working  in the Pathways to Permanency (P2P) foster care and adoptions program. Over a quarter century in the field has given him a deep well of experience, but what has remained constant is his calling to work with children and families.

Garrett originally earned an undergraduate degree in liberal studies with plans to become a teacher, but a persistent desire to help break cycles of abuse led him down a different path. Encouraged by his father, a sociology professor at Chico State, Garrett applied to the university’s MSW program. During an internship with the California Department of Social Services in adoption, he knew he’d discovered his calling. 

Over the years, his perspective has deepened. He’s become increasingly interested in people’s histories—what they’ve endured and been through.  He’s seen how past trauma and addiction can influence a person’s choices. This understanding has fostered a profound compassion for parents who may have lost custody of their children but still love them deeply.

His faith also shapes his approach to the work he does, guiding him to engage others with empathy and compassion. And he values the added support that Stanford Sierra’s Parent Partner Program provides to families navigating this difficult journey. What Garrett enjoys most about social work is the human connection.

“I enjoy talking with families, watching progress unfold, and seeing stability replace uncertainty. I’ve witnessed how time, consistency, and unconditional love can help children heal and how therapeutic support can open the door for families to give and receive that love more fully.”

The complexity of the profession has been one of the biggest surprises to Garrett. Beyond direct work with families, social workers must manage extensive documentation, reporting requirements, and licensing standards. Balancing these responsibilities can be challenging, but Garrett has learned the importance of perspective and self-care. Sustaining this work over the long term means setting boundaries, recognizing that not every situation is an emergency, and allowing space to rest and recharge. Sometimes, that simply means stepping outside for a walk.

Through decades of service, Garrett has uplifted youth and families and helped them transform their lives.  At Stanford Sierra Youth & Families and beyond, social workers like Garrett continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of the families they serve.