ATHENS, W.Va. -For over 20 years Amanda Phillips has been involved with social work. Karen Thompson says why she nominated her for Hometown Hero.
“You know, she fits that role perfectly. She continually is, like I said, an inspiration to others. She is a phenomenal social worker. She does an amazing job, teaching students, mentoring others, just kind of she strives to go above and beyond to help those in the community who need that support, who need that just guidance, those resources, and she’s always, if she tells you that she’s going to do something, she maintains it,” said Karen Thompson, Hometown Hero Nominator.
When described as a social worker, a teacher, an advocate, a helper, and an example to others how hard worker and passion can bless others, Phillips said this.
“Yeah, I don’t know if I agree with all of that, but it’s been an amazing privilege. I have been given a lot of opportunities in my life, and to be able to share those opportunities and to bless other people. Working in the aging field, it’s a population that a lot of people do not focus on, but they require just as much support and advocacy as children do,” said Phillips.
After obtaining her master’s degree at West Virginia University, Phillips returned to her alma mater Concord to spread her passion.
“For me, I’m able to bring my experience from the field into the classroom and, you know, share with them some real life experiences that I have, and we’re able to connect that to social work theories and applications to help them form their own working knowledge so that when they go into the field, they’re going to be able to find their passion,” continued Phillips.
Phillips says social work is not a one size fits all job and working mostly with adults is where her passion lies.
“One of the most profound experiences I’ve ever had was an individual who said, you know, ‘I have never, in the last year, I can’t remember the last time I got a hug. Every touch I have has been very clinical. Can you just give me a hug?’ Because they did not have that family connection. They didn’t have a community connection because they were homebound, and just being able to sit down and have a cup of coffee with them and then express to me what’s going on and seeing how I can help has been a privilege and an honor,” said Phillips.
But not only is she involved with her community as a social worker, but also a teacher for young children at her home church Cook’s Chapel.
“It is just one of the greatest things ever is just to hear, you know, a little one sing Jesus Loves Me and know that I was the one who introduced that song to them,” continued, Phillips.
But Phillips summed up her nomination in these few words.
“So, you know, I think as a social worker, I think I just do what every other social worker does,” said Amanda Phillips.
It is her selflessness and passion that makes Amanda Phillips a WVVA Hometown Hero.
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