Lorry-Ann Austin presents the award to Nadine Ryan (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

HEART OF THE GRASSLANDS AWARD

Kamloops social worker honoured with provincial award

Mar 22, 2023 | 4:07 PM

KAMLOOPS — This is B.C. Social Work Week, and in honour of that, two social workers in the province, including one in Kamloops, were presented awards on Wednesday (March 22).

Nadine Ryan moved out to Kamloops in 1995, expecting to be here for one year. Fast forward to 2023, and Ryan has been serving the community for 25 years as a social worker. On Wednesday, she was awarded the Heart of the Grasslands Award by Minister Mitzi Dean and Lorry-Ann Austin.

“I’m just so deeply honoured to receive this from my peers because I work with so many caring, thoughtful, intelligent individuals,” said Ryan. “Just to be a part of this network of social workers, of people who are so committed and passionate in their work. It is just a great honour for me.”

Ryan was surprised to find out she had been nominated by her peers for the award, and never expected to win. Austin stated her dedication to children and the community of Kamloops made her an obvious choice.

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“Nadine (Ryan) really exemplifies the heart of social work in our community, she has worked for many years to build up community, to work with families here. The Heart of the Grasslands Award in particular is about that, it’s about a social worker that goes beyond the scope of their discipline to really build relationships,” said Austin.

Ryan currently serves as director of operations for the Ministry of Children and Family Development in Kamloops. Over her quarter-century with the ministry, she has made significant contributions to the welfare of children and youth.

“I started my career as a child protection social worker with the ministry for children and family all those years ago. And all the position that I have held ever since, I’ve stayed closely linked to the work that really is the crux of the work we do, is serving children youth and families,” added Ryan.

Ryan was credited with being instrumental in the development of practice and policy in the areas of youth agreements, domestic violence and permanency planning.