James A. Powers, Jr., LCSW, researcher with the Health Systems Research Department at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, was honored with the National Association of Social Workers Illinois Chapter’s 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award. The award, presented recently at NASW’s statewide conference, covers the entire state of Illinois and is given to one Social Worker each year for distinguished service to the profession and the public.
Susan Razbadowski, executive director of Family Counseling Service of Northern Illinois, says of Powers, “Jim has inspired many of us in the Social Work profession, as well as many others who are fortunate to have worked with him as clients, colleagues, volunteers and community members. He exemplifies the values of social work and lives his commitment to a better world every day.”
Jim began his career in Rockford in 1974 as a therapist at Family Counseling Services before eventually becoming executive director. After over 20 years of service, he left FCS to become director of the employee assistance program at Rockford Health System. He has headed up Family Advocate and Easter Seals Children’s Development Center and worked with various colleges and universities to educate young social workers, including the University of Illinois, Rockford College, Loyola University and the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater.
Powers continues to serve the community through his work at the College of Medicine and the Boards of Crusader Community Health, Winnebago County Health Department, and Northern Illinois Center for Non-Profit Excellence, having previously served on the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Social Work Examining and Disciplinary Board as well as the Boards of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, United Way of the Rock River Valley, Youth Services Network, and Rockford Downtown Rotary.