Nancy Paley

I've been in social work for 40 years because I've always wanted to help people and connect with them, especially those who are less fortunate than me. After earning my sociology degree from Washington University in St. Louis, I worked as a teacher in a boys' group home through an internship that turned into a job. When I was laid off, I went to grad school at the University of Pennsylvania for my MSW because I really enjoyed helping people and wanted to work in a clinical field. I've worked with all different types of populations throughout my career. I spent 14 years at the Department of Veterans Affairs, where I was promoted to supervisor, which I did for 12 years, though I must admit I preferred being a case manager. One position I'm particularly proud of was working as a PACT team clinician with Catholic Charities, where I served severely mentally ill individuals. There, I developed a cooking group, which was my baby, because cooking is my passion and I was able to help them enjoy food and learn how to cook. Now that my kids are grown and in their late 20s, I've retired from the VA and taken a part-time job working with the elderly, which I think is my favorite job. I go to various long-term care facilities, independent living communities, and adult daycare centers, where I connect face-to-face with clients and try to help and empathize with what they're going through. I have a strong passion to help people live more meaningful lives.