“Being a social worker means meeting people where they are, not where I want them to be.”
Some social workers arrive at their profession through coursework or internships. Others, like Patricia Maila, carry their purpose into the role long before it has a title. For Patricia, social work is not a job she stumbled upon. It’s a deeply personal mission, born from her own childhood, shaped by the helpers who stood by her family, and carried forward with care, courage, and commitment to the communities who need her most.
Today, Patricia serves as a Families in Transition Site Coordinator with the FIT program in the School District of Lancaster. She’s been a social worker for nine years and joined SDoL in August 2023. In her first year with the district, she’s already become a trusted presence, one whose work is rooted in lived experience, a strong moral compass, and a drive to bring light into places that are too often overlooked.
The Beginning: Why She Chose This Path
Growing up, Patricia experienced the kind of struggles that many of her students now face. Her family went through hard times—financial uncertainty, unstable housing, and situations that forced her to grow up quickly. But through it all, there were helpers.
“I was very thankful for the social workers that helped us,” she shared. “They showed up when things felt overwhelming. I didn’t always understand what they did, but I remember how they made me feel like we weren’t on our own.”
It was those early experiences that lit a spark in her. As she grew older, she knew she wanted to play that same role for others. She wanted to be that steady, compassionate adult who helped people navigate challenges no one prepares you for. She wanted to be the one who doesn’t look away when things are difficult.
The FIT Program: Work That Feels Personal
Patricia didn’t come to SDoL by accident. She came because of FIT.
“The FIT program is what brought me here,” she said. “It’s work I’ve always been passionate about supporting people who are at risk, especially those experiencing homelessness.”
The Families in Transition program serves students and families who are navigating housing instability, helping ensure that they can continue their education with the support, resources, and consistency they deserve. For Patricia, this isn’t abstract. She knows what it’s like to wonder where you’ll sleep. She understands the emotional toll of that uncertainty. And now, she offers something she once needed: calm in the chaos.
“I work with students and families who are often doing everything they can to hold it together,” she said. “Many of their experiences haven’t been easy or even safe. I try to offer a sense of stability, even in the smallest ways.”
Whether it’s helping a student get clothing or hygiene items, connecting a parent with housing resources, or simply being present in a moment of panic or fear, Patricia’s work is hands-on and human. It’s in the everyday actions where trust is built.
The Small Things That Matter Most
In a profession where outcomes can be hard to measure, Patricia doesn’t rely on grand breakthroughs to know she’s making a difference. She believes in presence over perfection, and process over performance.
“I don’t have one big moment that defines my work,” she said. “Helping people every day that’s what keeps me going. The relationships, the check-ins, the progress you might not notice unless you’re looking closely. That’s where the meaning is.”
Her mindset is shaped by experience both personal and professional. She’s learned that the weight of trying to solve every problem can crush even the most passionate hearts. That’s why she’s made peace with limits, while still showing up fully.
“My self-care is knowing I did my best, and accepting that,” she said. “A lot of stress in this field comes from trying to fix everything. But we’re not here to be saviors. We’re here to support, to walk alongside. And when I remember that, I find peace.”
Fueled by Injustice, Not Defeated by It
When asked who inspires her, Patricia pauses.
“It’s not a person. It’s the issues,” she says. “Social inequality. Racism. Sexism. Housing crises. Food insecurity. All the ‘-isms.’ That’s what drives me.”
She speaks with clarity not from a place of despair, but from a place of truth. These are not issues she can fix alone. But that doesn’t stop her from showing up, from staying informed, or from holding institutions accountable. Her work is a response to a world that often fails the most vulnerable.
“I wish for peace. I wish for kindness and love. But until that’s reality, I’ll keep doing the work.”
The Power of Women Supporting Women
Patricia has found something special in her field, a type of connection that she hasn’t felt elsewhere. “There’s a power in the sisterhood of social work,” she said. “It’s like nothing else I’ve ever been part of.”
In her eyes, it’s about shared values. Women in social work often hold similar missions: to advocate, to protect, to uplift. And when they work together, there’s an unspoken understanding that runs deeper than job descriptions.
“We just get each other,” she said. “We don’t have to explain why we care so much. We already know.”
She tries to empower other women by shifting the focus away from deficits. “People are so quick to point out what they lack. But I try to listen and reflect back their strengths. That’s how we build each other up.”
For the Next Generation
To young women entering the field, Patricia offers encouragement and honesty.
“Bless your heart,” she says with warmth and sincerity. “This profession is not for the weak. But you won’t be alone. If you need anything—call me. We have to stick together.”
Carrying the Torch Forward
As she reflects on Women’s History Month, Patricia sees it as both a celebration and a call to action.
“It means we’re winning,” she said. “The women who came before me, who fought for my freedom, my voice, my place in this field: they did their part. Now it’s our turn to keep that going.”
She doesn’t want to just benefit from their legacy. She wants to continue it. Through every student she supports, every policy she challenges, and every voice she helps lift up, Patricia is continuing the work of the women who made it possible for her to stand where she does.
Thank You, Patricia
To Patricia: thank you for carrying your story with pride, and for turning your lived experience into a source of strength for others. Thank you for standing in the places that too often go unnoticed, and offering care without conditions.
Your work is real. Your voice matters. And your impact ripples far beyond what you may ever see.
Happy Social Work Appreciation Month.