Community Three Area Residents Recognized for Outstanding Work in the Social Work Arena

(From Left) Richard White, Kerry Gantner and Richard Martin

BRADENTON -- The Sarasota/Manatee unit of the Florida Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) celebrated Social Workers Month, March 5, 2012, with an awards ceremony honoring three local citizens for outstanding contributions in their field. The honorees are Richard White, Social Worker of the Year; Kerry Gantner, Florida Student Social Worker of the Year; and former Sarasota mayor, Richard Martin, Public Citizen of the Year. 

”We’re proud of the ways in which these three individuals practice the ideals and ethics of the social work profession and its goal of providing everyone with the ability to self-actualize and live their best life possible,“ says Dr. Jason Quintal, chair of the Sarasota/Manatee unit of NASW. ”Each one has shown remarkable commitment to bettering the world around them.“

Sarasota/Manatee's NASW Social Worker of the Year is Richard White, MSW, LCSW, who has been a professional social worker for more than 32 years. In his current position, as a social worker with the Manatee County school system, White developed an acclaimed student services counseling program. ”Richard truly epitomizes what it means to be a social worker,“ says Quintal. ”It’s an honor to publically recognize his remarkable life and work.“

Kerry Gantner, chosen as Student Social Worker of the Year, recently completed her studies in social work at the University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee. She has also been active with Resurrection House, a local resource center for homeless families and individuals. ”Kerry is passionate about the profession and, at her young age, is already engaged in applying the core principles of social work learned in the classroom to real-life situations,“ says Quintal.

Former Sarasota mayor, Richard Martin, captured the 2012 Public Citizen award. Martin is being recognized for his extensive work with the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness and its 10-year plan to achieve that goal.

”Richard puts into practice the ideals and ethics of the social work profession,“ says Quintal. ”We are honored to honor him.“