April 2 is the Social Workers Day, for which the Social Affairs Bureau of Taichung City Government held a recognition ceremony at the Taiwan Boulevard Municipal Building on March 28. Among the 47 honored social workers, 4 social workers were awarded the "Special Contribution Award", including Weng Hui-yuan (翁慧圓), who has been devoted to the training and education of social workers for over 40 years; Guo Lizhen (郭麗貞), serving at Taiwan Fund for Children and Families (TFCF) as Supervisor for 35 years; Xie Guang-ren (謝廣仁), Chief of Social Affairs Section, Wufeng District Office, who is one of the first-generation social workers formed in 1975; and Liang Fu-zhi (梁副枝), President of Dajia Women's Pavilion.

In addition, social workers who have been serving on their positions for 10 years, 20 years, and 30 years were also honored, including 31 social workers awarded "Heritage Award" and 12 social workers awarded for training and educating new social workers.

Mayor Jason Hu said in his speech that he could not express his gratitude to social workers in words. “You are helping the city government to appease every wounded soul and helping the suffering people to survive. Although your jobs have become increasingly complex, the jobs are very meaningful. It is you who help people conquer despair and gradually improve their mood,” added Mayor Hu.

Mayor Hu also said that social workers always reached the scene very quickly, worked long hours, cared for people in need, and listened to them sincerely. “You are angels. I am deeply grateful to every social worker,” continued Mayor Hu.

Wang Xiu-yan (王秀燕), Director-general of Social Affairs Bureau, pointed out that her Social Affairs Bureau was awarded by the Central Government as one of the best performers in 2013 and Taichung is the first in Taiwan to set up "Regulations Governing Autonomy and Personal Security of Social Workers" to promote the social-work profession system.

There were nearly 1,200 social workers in Taichung City in 2013, increasing by 157 when compared to 2012. In addition, 8 family welfare services centers have been added in the past year. It is obvious that the social work profession to provide diversified services have been flourishing in Taichung City.

In addition to the recognition ceremony for social workers, there was also a workshop to train social workers to protect their own personal safety. For the Social Workers Day on April 2nd, some companies, including Pxmart Co., Ltd (全聯實業股份有限公司), Mivila Italian Restaurant (米米拉義式餐廳), Romanor Coffee (老莊園咖啡), and others offered some concession to pay respect the social workers.