Brandon Twp.- Phyllis McCaffrey believes social work was her destiny, but she will leave the profession this month for a new path in life.
‘I really think I was born to be a caseworker,? says McCaffrey. ‘But I’ve waited a long time to be a grandmother.?
The Oakland County caseworker is retiring Oct. 31, after more than a year-and-a-half serving area families in her assignment with Brandon Groveland Youth Assistance.
‘I will truly miss this community,? McCaffrey said. ‘Everyday has been an adventure. There is so much potential and so much joy here.?
BGYA helps local children and families through programs including Mentors Plus, STARS, Adopt-a-Camper, and family education. McCaffrey arrived in the township as caseworker in February 2007, and this year, has counseled 99 children in the community and has had contact at least once with 147 families this year, helping with truancy issues, tutoring, referrals, or group-related work.
McCaffrey is grateful for the volunteers that make BGYA effective in helping children, noting that the Adopt-a-Camper program enabled 35 children to go to camp this year and the STARS tutoring program, begun last year, has had great success. Mentors Plus, which matches adults to children in the community, has also been reinstated and had six matches this year.
‘A big thank you to the board,? McCaffrey said. ‘Our biggest challenge is trying to keep children safe from substance abuse, whether it is marijuana or alcohol. We try to help kids understand what one poor decision can do to the rest of your life.?