Dr. Linda West Retires from Mississippi Families for Kids
Dr. Linda West Retires from Mississippi Families for Kids
Long time Social Work Administrator Dr. Linda West announces retirement from Mississippi Families for Kids effective December 30, 2021. One of the longest active employees at MFFK, Dr. West retires after 40 years and is saying goodbye to the Social Service Community. Dr. West has spent the last twenty-eight years as Founder and Executive Director of Mississippi Families for Kids. During her tenure as a social work administrator, she has served in numerous positions, which include adjunct professor at Jackson State University and Tougaloo College as well as Associate Director of Mississippi Children’s Home Society, Canopy Solutions, Good Samaritan Center, and Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center. She has been a constant contributor to the social service community by serving on local and national boards and volunteering at numerous organizations. She has contributed to the development of young people in all of the places she has lived: Detroit, MI, Washington, D.C., Memphis, TN, and finally in Jackson, MS.
“Leaving my beloved Mississippi Families for Kids evokes mixed emotions,” says Dr. West. Reflecting over the past 40 years will certainly bring back memories of the struggle to establish and sustain an organization. “You can’t invest 40 years into a profession and not have some emotions when leaving.” Meeting with colleagues, patients, students, and business people are the things she will miss the most about working at MFFK. She expresses gratitude to have been privileged to work with so many outstanding people all over country. “I will certainly miss the daily interactions with staff, collaborative partners, the board of directors and colleagues. Those interactions and relationships are at the core of MFFK.” She values the importance of guiding and assisting the organization in making giant strides during its growth and development. “It gives me great satisfaction knowing that I was a part of making a difference in the lives of so many families and children here in Mississippi and nationally.”
MFFK has opened so many avenues for Dr. West to experience career success as well as find a path to personal and professional growth. “I have had the opportunity to grow from a young inexperienced social worker to the being in some of the most prominent administrative positions the profession had to offer. I have traveled all over the country and worked with many people who have helped me enrich my skills, knowledge, expertise, and positive professional growth. I would not be the person I am today without those people and the investment MFFK made in me.”
Being a positive example, for staff and others has always been important to her. “I hope over these last forty years I have encouraged and motivated some of my students and colleagues to reach heights I never did. I realized early and throughout my career that being a role model for others was tremendously important. Therefore, I have tried to be one for my staff, patients, clients, and students. A real sense of responsivity has always been at the center of my career. I end this chapter of my profession to look forward to the next chapter of my life, which will include lots of rest, relaxation, reading, and travel.”