Debrecen4U
November 14, 2025
Social workers’ dedication recognized in Debrecen
On the occasion of Social Work Day, the Municipal Social Service of Debrecen (VSzSz), in recognition of the work of those employed in the social sector, held a celebration on November 13, 2025. In keeping with tradition, the certificates for “Employee of the Year” of the Municipal Social Service of Debrecen were presented, and colleagues celebrating their work anniversaries were also honored.
Diána Széles, Deputy Mayor of Debrecen, also responsible for care policy, said that this day is a true celebration, as it provides an opportunity to personally thank each and every employee of the VSzSz for what they do for the people of Debrecen every day. The employees of the Municipal Social Service’s elderly care network perform a very noble, but also very difficult, spiritually and mentally demanding task. At the same time, they do not consider this a job but a service; they practice their profession with great empathy, love, and patience, and they are committed to helping the elderly. According to the deputy mayor, the heartfelt attachment of those working in the social field to this profession is shown by the fact that every year there are those who are recognized based on the opinions of their colleagues and those who can be congratulated because they have been working here for 20, 25, or 30 years. The local government regularly shows its appreciation for them in the form of awards. As long as those working in the social field have such a sense of professionalism, families can know that their elderly relatives are in a good place, and without them Debrecen could not be a caring city. Diána Széles mentioned that, precisely in the spirit of the caring city program, the local government has been working for years to help the people of Debrecen as much as possible. One form of this is that in the Pallagi Road nursing home, they try to renovate and develop a new department every year, taking into account needs.
Lajosné Nagy, Head of the Municipal Social Service of Debrecen (VSzSz), greeted her colleagues who attended the ceremony and said that Social Work Day is the recognition of those who serve human dignity and compassion. It is the day of those who believe that care, attention, and help can make the world a better place. In Hungary, the Parliament decided in 2016 to declare November 12 as Social Work Day. The idea of the first celebration was born in Debrecen in 2012 as a result of a joint decision, and this year it will take place for the 14th time. She emphasized that caring for the elderly and disabled requires special sensitivity, patience, and spiritual strength. The work of those working in this field is not just a professional task but a calling from the heart. Today’s celebration should not highlight the great, heroic deeds but the invisible but indispensable moments of everyday work. The small actions that are part of everyday life at the patient’s bedside, paying attention to each individual case, patiently handling countless phone calls, maintaining a calm tone of voice despite exhaustion, and providing personal, thoughtful responses to problems. According to her, the community of the Municipal Social Service of the City of Debrecen is strong, cohesive, and exemplary. They provide security, love, and a home to the beneficiaries; they listen to them, understand them, encourage them, and are there when they are needed. This dedication is the true essence of social work and the greatest value that can be given. The institution has more than 1,200 beneficiaries, and nearly 300 conscientious employees provide assistance in everyday life. She thanked everyone for their perseverance, patience, humanity, and professionalism, with which they carry out their quiet but essential, modest but still most important, and exemplary work for all of us every day.
The Municipal Social Service Employee of the Year certificate of the City of Debrecen – which is awarded based on votes from the staff community – was received by one employee from each of the management, institutional management, day care and catering, and home assistance areas, and two employees from the specialized care area: Mária Puskás, senior caregiver (employee of the Fényesudvar Care Service Víztorony Street Branch), Tamás Báthori, transportation and technical group leader (employee of the headquarters, the nursing home), Gyuláné Korbeák, caregiver (employee of the Nagysándor Care Service Pósa Street Elderly and Demented Elderly Club), Gyöngyi Balla, caregiver (employee of the Fényesudvar Care Service Víztorony Street Branch), as well as Andrea Zám, physiotherapist (employee of the headquarters, the nursing home) and Lászlóné Dobi, caregiver (employee of the nursing and care department of the headquarters, the nursing home). Csilla Montlikáné Szabó, a caregiver working in home assistance at the Csapókert Care Service Süveg Street Elderly Club, was greeted as she celebrated her 30th year of employment.
The following artists performed at the event with a gift program: Milán Gyönyörű (vocals), a student of the Kodály Zoltán Secondary School of Music and Music School, and members of the Piruett Dance Studio.
Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu
