SWAG: Social Worker Appreciation of Greatness Awards

People often ask what makes SWAG different.

It's not just the awards.

It's the connections. The celebration. The stories. The feeling of being in a room full of people who understand the work.

Some of our favorite feedback from this year's attendees included:

⭐ "This felt like the Oscars for social workers."
⭐ "The networking alone was worth attending."
⭐ "I've never experienced anything like this in our profession."

Those comments remind us why this work matters.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2026 SWAG Awards such a memorable experience.

We're already looking ahead to 2027.

100% of attendees surveyed said they would attend again or recommend SWAG.

That tells us something important.

People don't return to spaces where they don't feel seen. They don't recommend events that don't provide value. And they certainly don't invite colleagues into experiences they wouldn't attend themselves.

SWAG has continued to grow because it's about more than an awards ceremony.

It's about recognition. Connection. Community. And reminding social workers that their work matters.

As we begin preparing for the 7th Annual SWAG Awards, we're grateful for every person who has helped build this community.

Some of the most important conversations in mental health care are the ones people are often uncomfortable having.

Power. Bias. Inequality. Who gets believed. Who gets labeled. Who gets overlooked.

That’s why we’re excited to host this upcoming training with Dr. Darla Timbo PsyD, LPC

WHO HOLDS POWER? Unpacking Bias & Inequality in Mental Health Care

Supporting helping professionals also means creating space for deeper reflection about the systems we work inside of.

🗓 May 29
⏰ 10AM–12PM EST
💻 Virtual
Cost: $10.00

2 CEUs provided by University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work

https://www.theswagawards.com/trainings

What happens when 200+ social workers are in one room?

Everybody sees the photos.

The dresses. The awards. The celebration.
But what people don’t always see is what’s actually happening in the room.

Connection.
Recognition.
People who have been carrying a lot… finally being seen.

And not just seen—supported.

👇🏾 I broke down what that actually looked like this year in the comments.

What happens when 200+ social workers are in one room?

Then your caption:

Everybody sees the photos.

The dresses. The awards. The celebration.
But what people don’t always see is what’s actually happening in the room.

Connection.
Recognition.
People who have been carrying a lot… finally being seen.

And not just seen—supported.

👇🏾 I broke down what that actually looked like this year in the comments.

This is what it looks like when the work keeps speaking.

We’re proud to celebrate one of our SWAG awardees, Dr. Kathi Elliott, on this well-deserved recognition.
Honored alongside leaders, athletes, and changemakers during one of Pittsburgh’s biggest weekends… and still rooted in community, impact, and legacy.

That part matters.

At SWAG, we don’t just recognize people for a moment.
We recognize the consistency, the commitment, and the kind of work that continues long after the award is given.

Congratulations again, Dr. Kathi. Well deserved.

Social workers—quick reminder.

Registration closes at 12PM for today’s Su***de Assessment training.
If you’ve been thinking about joining, this is your window.

Trainings | SWAG Alliance Foundation Official SWAG Alliance Foundation training event details and sign up

The Swag Alliance Foundation was just awarded a $60,000 grant from the Staunton Farm Foundation!

If you know us from the SWAG Awards, you know we celebrate the heart work of social workers.

What started as just a space for recognition has grown into the SWAG Alliance Foundation—our nonprofit focused on supporting the workforce behind the work.

This is more than exciting; it’s personal.
This work was never just about recognition; it’s always been about access.
Access to supervision.
Access to licensure.
Access to opportunities that too many helping professionals have to figure out on their own.

So this funding allows us to do something I wish existed earlier in my own journey—and something I know is still missing for many:

• Help cover licensure exam costs
• Offer low-cost to no-cost CEU trainings
• Create real opportunities for helping professionals to be paid speakers and facilitators
• Support exam prep groups and mentoring spaces
• Provide group clinical supervision toward licensure

All right here for social workers and helping professionals living and serving in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

This isn’t just a program rollout. It’s infrastructure.

Grateful for the partnership with Staunton Farm Foundation and even more committed to what comes next.

If you’re a social worker in Southwestern PA and have been looking for support around licensure, supervision, or professional development we’re building this with you in mind.

And for organizations, partners, and funders who care about strengthening the helping professional workforce; this is the kind of work we’re continuing to grow.

Learn more: www.swagfoundation.org

Our inaugural SWAG Organization of the Year, Steel Smiling

📽Ricco Jl Martello

WATS GOING ON PITTSBURGH... COURTNEY ABEGUNDE ONE OF THE 6TH ANNUAL S W.A.G. AWARDS HONOREES WATS GOING ON PITTSBURGH... COURTNEY ABEGUNDE MANAGING DIRECTOR AT STILL SMILING DURING HER INTERVIEW WITH US.

2026 SWAG Entrepreneur of the Year, Kristy Joy

📽Ricco Jl Martello

WATS GOING ON PITTSBURGH... KRISTY JOY WEIDNER ONE OF 2026 S.W.A.G. AWARDS HONOREES INTERVIEW. WATS GOING ON PITTSBURGH... KRISTY JOY WEIDNER, ONE OF 2026 S.W.A.G. AWARDS HONOREES. KRISTY JOY WEIDNER, S.W.A.G. HONOREE DURING HER INTERVIEW WITH US.