We are proud of our colleague, Mihaela Ruiu, who won the Award for Social Worker in the Field of Community Social Work at the 12th edition of the National Gala of Excellence in Social Work, held on March 17, 2026, at the Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest.
The National Gala of Excellence in Social Work, organized by the National College of Social Workers in Romania (CNASR) on the occasion of World Social Work Day, is the most important event recognizing the social work profession in Romania. Each year, the gala highlights the often unseen work of those who change lives, one community at a time. This year, the award for community social work went exactly where it belonged – to a professional who lives this mission every day, in Dolj County.
Over 12 years of community social work: Mihaela’s story
Mihaela has been working in the field of social work for over 12 years, and since 2014 she has been part of the Adina Foundation team. Over the years, she has built a genuine relationship of trust with children, parents, and communities across Dolj County – a relationship measured not in files or reports, but in real-life changes.
For Mihaela, working in community social work means much more than a profession. It is a daily choice to be present, to listen without judgment, and to build lasting change step by step alongside families in need of support. Through her interventions, she prevents school dropout, supports parents in discovering their own resources, and builds real bridges between the community, schools, and available social services.
This integrated approach, specific to high-quality community social work, is precisely what distinguishes a truly effective social worker: not solving problems instead of people, but helping them become agents of their own change.
What the award from the National Social Work Gala means
The 12th edition of the National Gala of Excellence in Social Work 2026 presented awards across ten categories within the “Social Workers of the Year 2026” competition, with the event hosted by Andreea Marin, Ambassador of Excellence in Social Work. The winners were selected from an impressive number of nominees nationwide, through both community voting and expert evaluation.
The award received by Mihaela in the category Social Worker in the Field of Community Social Work is not just a personal distinction – it is a national recognition of the importance of community social work as an essential tool for preventing social exclusion, school dropout, and family vulnerability. It also confirms that the intervention model implemented by the Adina Foundation in Dolj County delivers visible and nationally recognized results.
The Adina Foundation means people who turn good intentions into real action
At the Adina Foundation, we believe that sustainable social change is built through dedicated people who are actively involved in their communities every day. Mihaela is one of those people. Her work is part of our broader mission: to support vulnerable children and families in Dolj County through social services, education, and community inclusion.
This national recognition motivates us to continue and grow. We will keep supporting professionals who help good grow – because they are the foundation of any healthy community.
Congratulations, Mihaela! You are a model of professionalism, empathy, and commitment in community social work in Romania.
If you would like to support the mission of the Adina Foundation and the work of social workers who are changing lives in Dolj County, join us. Together, we can do more.
