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Dear Members of the NASW-Washington Chapter,
As social workers, we are navigating a time when the demands on our profession, and on ourselves, can feel greater than ever. We are responding to complex community needs, advocating in increasingly challenging environments, and carrying the weight of systems that are often stretched beyond capacity. It is no surprise that many of us find ourselves asking how we continue this work sustainably while staying connected to the values that brought us here in the first place.
This month, I have had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. alongside our Eastern Washington Representative, Cara Hernandez. The 2026 NASW National Conference theme, Beyond the Breaking Point: Connection Through Purpose and Power, offered an invitation to explore that concept together. Beyond the Breaking Point acknowledges the realities facing our profession: burnout, compassion fatigue, workforce shortages, and the ongoing challenges confronting the communities we serve. Rather than turning away from these realities, the theme challenges us to recognize them honestly while seeking pathways forward.
Connection Through Purpose reminds us that our shared commitment to service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, and the importance of human relationships remains a powerful source of resilience. When we reconnect with our professional purpose and with one another, we strengthen our ability to meet challenges with compassion, creativity, and hope.
Connection Through Power calls us to recognize the collective influence of social workers. Our power is found not only in individual practice, but in our ability to organize, advocate, lead, and create change. Whether in direct service, community organizing, policy advocacy, education, or leadership, social workers possess the knowledge and expertise needed to shape systems and improve lives.
Throughout the conference, social workers from across the country came together to learn, reflect, and recommit to the work ahead. The conversations, innovations, and shared experiences reinforced a simple but powerful truth: while no one should have to carry this work alone, together we are capable of moving beyond the breaking point and toward a future grounded in connection, purpose, and collective power.
With appreciation,
Danielle Flores
Executive Director
NASW Washington Chapter
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