Social Workers Make a Lasting Difference

Melissa Dunn and Melissa Karapanos are the kind of social workers who make a difference far beyond their job descriptions. As social workers at Coventry Elementary, Dunn and Karapanos have become strong advocates for students and families while playing an important role in supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of McHenry County matches at the school. Their commitment to helping students build meaningful connections and access the support they need has recently earned them the Social Worker of the Year Award from BBBS.

The award recognizes a social worker or team of social workers who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to the BBBS mentoring mission and make a lasting difference in the lives of the children and families they serve.

Dunn and Karapanos have gone above and beyond to support both the Littles in the program and the many other students they work with. Last year, they personally helped recruit mentors for Coventry’s Lunch Time Program and identified students who would benefit from those mentoring relationships. When space was limited, they even opened their own offices so Bigs and Littles could meet.

Their support continues beyond making connections. Dunn and Karapanos advocate for their students, and BBBS matches when additional support is needed, always looking for ways to help those relationships succeed.

“They work very hard and care so much about the work they do,” said Sam Boison, a Match Specialist with BBBS.

Through their advocacy, initiative, and genuine care for students, Dunn and Karapanos continue to show the difference that dedicated school social workers can make in the lives of children and families.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. The organization matches young people with adult mentors and professionally supports those relationships over time