The Outstanding Social Worker of The Year Award is a public tribute paid to the contribution from exceptional social workers. This year, our very own Ms. Winnie Ying, Coordinator of HKCS Shamshuipo (East) Integrated Team, won one of these honorable Awards. The primary host for the Award was Hong Kong Social Workers' Association; and this year the co-organisers were RTHK Radio 1, Mingpo Daily News and JUMP. The intent for the award is more than an honor given to a person but a public acknowledgement of the Social Work Profession.

Ms. Ying is a seasoned social worker, who has 10 years of field experience under her belt. Most of her experience was working with problem adolescence; and for the past several years she was a passionate advocate in the "De-labeling Movement" for marginal youth. Based on the concept of youth empowerment, Ms. Ying strived to raise the awareness and empathy from people in the community toward the challenges that teenagers are facing today hoping that it would encourage parents and society, as a whole, to embrace these youngsters with understanding and acceptance. With the wide coverage from the media, her efforts paid off and the Movement gained a giant step forward.

On 9 January, the evening of the award presentation, Ms. Ying was overwhelmed with joy by the presence of her supervisors, colleagues, friends and family members who were there to share her honor. She expressed her gratitude toward all anonymous heroes and heroines who stood behind and supported her throughout the years. Ms. Ying believed strongly that the commitment of a social worker indeed demonstrated the reality of one who could live a life that made a difference in the lives of many.