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AWARDS CEREMONY 2025

Come together with us on Thursday, November 20 at 5:30pm at Chelo’s Banquet Facility (2225 Post Road, Warwick, RI), as we celebrate the heart of social work in Rhode Island. This special awards evening, hosted by The NASW Rhode Island Chapter, will honor the dedication, compassion, and positive impact of social workers who make a difference every day in the lives of individuals and families across our state. Enjoy an inspiring program recognizing the dedication and impact of social work professionals, with complimentary parking available on-site.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Chapter Award Honorees:

Legislator of the Year: Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith
Social Worker of the Year - Older Adults and Lifetime Achievement: Susan W. Graefe, ACSW, LICSW, BCD
Social Workers of the Year - Mental Health and Substance Use: Katherine Kranz, Ph.D, LICSW
Social Worker of the Year - School Social Work and Children and Families Award: Bianca LaBella
Robert S. Burgess Community Service Award: Bethanie J Rado, BS, CPS
Nancy H. Gewirtz Social Action Award: Jennifer Gaviria, LICSW
Promising Practitioners:
- Providence College - BSW: Catherine Michaela Hien
- Salve Regina University - BSW: Lauren Young Mada
- Rhode Island College - MSW: Nakena Kilgore, MSW Student
- Rhode Island College - BSW: Lucy Williams

REGISTRATION RATES:

Guest Registration: $55 per person (Register here)

Deadline: Friday, November 14.

Program Book Ads (Purchase here)

Celebrate an honoree by placing an ad in our Program Book. Ads will be shared with all guests in the ceremony booklet.

Front inside full page (1 available): $175 (4.75"W x 7"H in, PGN, in color)
Back inside full page (1 available): $175 (4.75"W x 7"H in, PGN, in color)
Full page: $150 (4.75"W x 7"H in, PGN, in color)
Half page: $75 (4.75"W x 3.5"H in, PGN, in color)
⅛ page: $35 (3.5"W x 2"H in, PGN, in color)

Registration deadline: Tuesday, November 11. Submission deadline: Thursday, November 13.

Sponsorship Package $600 (Register here)

Support our ceremony and celebrate the incredible work of social workers in Rhode Island. Become a sponsor and help make this awards evening truly special while gaining recognition for your organization.

Four free tickets to the ceremony!
Full page ad in the program book (4.75"W x 7"H in, PNG in color)
Recognition on our website
Social media post (1080px by 1080px, PNG)
Recognition during the Ceremony's welcome remarks

Registration deadline: Tuesday, November 11. Submission deadline: Thursday, November 13.

MEET OUR HONOREES:

Legislator of the Year Award: Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith

Known to most as “Dr. Day Care,” Dr. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith is the founder and proprietor of Dr. Day Care and Kids Klub. She began her career as a family daycare provider and now owns multiple early learning centers in Rhode Island. Mary Ann graduated from Lincoln High School and furthered her education at Community College of Rhode Island, University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and Nova Southeastern University where she earned her Doctorate in Leadership and Child Studies.

In addition, Dr. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith is a State Representative (District 46). As a State Rep, she received the National Angel in Adoption Recipient in Washington, DC for her leadership in allowing adopted adults to obtain their original birth certificate. Mary Ann has advocated on wage increases, RIght from the Start early childhood initiatives, special education services, tax stabilization, affordable health care, and initiatives that are important to her constituents. She previously served the House district in 2009-2010. She is the second vice chair of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee and is a member of the House Education Committee, the House Oversight Committee, and the House Small Business Committee. Dr. Shallcross Smith has over 50 years of experience in early childhood and traveled all over the world to more than 82 countries – visiting early childhood facilities to witness the development of children from all cultures.

Social Worker of the Year - Older Adults and Lifetime Achievement Award: Susan W. Graefe, ACSW, LICSW, BCD:

Susan Graefe’s career spans more than five decades of dedication to social work, clinical practice, and the advancement of care for individuals and families. She began as a psychiatric social worker in Pittsburgh and later played a key role in Rhode Island developing innovative, coordinated systems of care for older adults. Her early leadership in elder care and mental health set the foundation for practices that continue to support families today. In 1983, Susan opened her private practice, where she became a trusted therapist, consultant, and lecturer. She guided individuals, couples, and families through life transitions, caregiving responsibilities, and aging-related challenges, while also teaching, publishing, and mentoring future professionals. A tireless advocate, she has served on boards, advanced consumer rights, and received numerous awards, including the Eleanor F. Slater Award and multiple Social Worker of the Year honors. Her career reflects both professional excellence and a lifelong commitment to dignity, compassion, and justice.

Social Workers of the Year - Mental Health and Substance Use Award: Katherine Kranz, Ph.D, LICSW:

Dr. Katherine Kranz is a licensed clinical social worker with a PhD from Boston College and an MSW from Rhode Island College. She taught at Providence College from 2006 until her recent semi-retirement, holding several leadership roles, including Chair of the Social Work Department, Associate Dean, and Interim Dean. For over 20 years, she taught a popular addictions course open to all majors, in addition to courses in micro practice, senior capstone, and an introduction to the social work profession. Dr. Kranz published research focused on the development and application of the Substance Abuse Treatment Self-Efficacy Scale (SATSES), a copyrighted instrument that has been used in studies both nationally and internationally. Her scholarly interests include narrative storytelling and qualitative research on topics such as adoption, addiction, mental health, and sibling relationships. She actively mentored undergraduate social work students in research projects, many of which were presented at national conferences. Supporting and guiding students into the social work profession remains her most valued accomplishment. With more than 45 years of experience in the mental health and substance use fields, Dr. Kranz has developed expertise in therapeutic interventions and family support. She has worked in both outpatient and inpatient settings and continues to provide services to individuals struggling with mental health and addiction challenges—gaining insight and inspiration from the clients and families she serves.

Social Worker of the Year - School Social Work and Children and Families Award: Bianca LaBella, MSW, LCSW

Bianca LaBella is a school social worker at Sargent Rehabilitation Center in Warwick, where she supports students ages 3–22 with autism spectrum disorder, traumatic brain injuries, genetic conditions, developmental delays, behavioral and mental health challenges. Along with her work at Sargent, she serves as a per diem pediatric clinician at Hasbro Children’s Hospital and provides outpatient therapeutic services to children and families. Bianca is passionate about advocating to meet the needs of all students—not only through direct work, but also by working towards systems more accessible and equitable for families. She has worked across a variety of school settings—including public, private, charter, and Catholic schools—with students from preschool through age 22. Throughout her journey, Bianca has been fortunate to have incredible supervisors who paved the way for her to continuously learn, grow, and advance in her career. She began as an intern in Providence and Johnston schools before earning her BSW from Providence College and her MSW with a school social work certificate from Rhode Island College. During her graduate training, she worked across Providence Public Schools on both micro and macro levels, supporting students directly and contributing to districtwide SEL and mental health initiatives.

Robert S. Burgess Community Service Award: Bethanie J Rado, BS, CPS:

Bethanie entered the Prevention field in 2021 after realigning her priorities during COVID, though community service has always been central to her life. With a background in hospitality and patient experience, she has also dedicated years to volunteer leadership, serving as a Girl Scout Leader and as President of the nation’s oldest all-girls and women’s baseball league. The league emphasizes equity and leadership, ensuring every girl has the opportunity to play regardless of financial or socioeconomic barriers. Today, Bethanie serves as the Youth & Media Coordinator for the East Providence Prevention Coalition, CADCA’s 2023 Coalition of the Year. She manages grants supporting healthy lifestyles and leads the East Providence Youth Council (EPYC), which has grown to nearly 30 active members contributing over 1,000 community service hours. Her work has gained state and national recognition, including presentations at CADCA’s Forum and Mid-Year Conferences. Bethanie is driven by the belief that making a difference in even one person’s life can inspire others to do the same.

Nancy H. Gewirtz Social Action Award: Jennifer Gaviria, LICSW:

Jennifer Gaviria, MSW, LICSW, a bilingual and bicultural therapist, consultant, adjunct faculty member, and school social worker of Colombian heritage. Raised in Central Falls and Pawtucket, Jennifer has dedicated her career to advancing equity in mental health, with a particular focus on supporting the Latinx community. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Providence College and her master’s in social work from Washington University in St. Louis. Over the past decade, Jennifer has served as a clinician, educator, and leader in Rhode Island’s nonprofit and healthcare sectors. Most recently, she worked as Director of Behavioral Health Workforce Development at Thundermist Health Center, and she currently serves as a School Social Worker in Woonsocket. Jennifer is also the Co-Founder of the Latino Mental Health Network of Rhode Island, a statewide initiative that recruits, retains, and uplifts Latinx and multilingual mental health providers. She is a frequent presenter on topics such as trauma in the Latinx community, perinatal mental health, and culturally responsive care, and she is deeply committed to creating more equitable systems of support. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Jennifer cherishes time with her husband and daughter.

Promising Practitioner Award - Providence College (BSW): Catherine Michaela Hien:

Catherine Hien, from Lincoln, Rhode Island, is a senior social work major with a minor in sociology at Providence College. She is passionate about working with children and hopes to become a school social worker. During her junior year, Catherine's field placement was at Stephen Olney Elementary School in North Providence, Rhode Island. Over the summer, she interned at Onward We Learn in Providence, Rhode Island, where she conducted research and created trauma-informed trainings and projects for the staff and students. She also worked as a head camp counselor for the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Summer Program, where she had the opportunity to work with children from her hometown. For her senior year field placement, Catherine is at Blackstone Academy Charter School in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. She is excited to further her knowledge about social work in a school setting and has loved working with the students and staff so far!

Promising Practitioner Award - Salve Regina University (BSW): Lauren Young Mada:

Hi! My name is Lauren Young Mada, and I’m from Tucson, Arizona. I’m currently a senior majoring in Social Work at Salve Regina University. I’ve always had a passion for helping others in any way I can. I naturally tend to put others before myself because bringing happiness to others brings me joy as well. As a Social Work major, I’ve had the opportunity to intern at both the Boys & Girls Club and, currently, at the Pathways Program. These experiences have helped me realize that my true calling lies in working with children and families. After graduation, I plan to pursue my Master of Social Work (MSW) and potentially earn my Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) certification.

Promising Practitioner Award- Rhode Island College (MSW): Nakena Kilgore:

My name is Nakena Kilgore (pronounced na-key-na), and I am a 25-year-old Master of Social Work student at Rhode Island College. Born and raised in Providence’s Lower South Providence neighborhood, I attended Providence public schools before enrolling at the University of Rhode Island in 2018 as a Talent Development Scholar, where I was active in P.I.N.K. and ROTC. These experiences helped me uncover strengths in leadership, resilience, and service, ultimately guiding me toward the field of social work. In 2022, I began working in adolescent case management, an experience that was transformative and led me to pursue my MSW despite initial uncertainty. Once admitted, I found support and mentorship from professors such as Dr. Megan Smith and Dr. Lawrencia Okai, which reinforced my passion for the field. That same year, I stepped into advocacy by lobbying against House Bill 266, an empowering moment that affirmed my commitment to meaningful change. As I prepare to graduate in May 2026, I remain motivated to enter the field with a deep dedication to compassion, courage, and creating positive impact.