Social worker fights to get young man’s life on track

School social worker Iris Kupferstein first met student Ruddy Mirabal at the Manhattan Comprehensive Day and Night School where he was earning his high school diploma, New York Daily News reports. When Mirabal was only two credits away from graduating, he got arrested on a drug charge.

Still, while Mirabal was in jail, the social worker refused to give up on the student. Bringing textbooks to his jail cell, Kupferstein helped Mirabal become the first person in the city to earn a high school diploma, instead of a GED, while incarcerated.

"She was telling me to keep a positive state of mind and keep working hard because anything is possible if you put your mind to it," Mirabal told the news provider.

Now that Mirabal is out of jail, Kupferstein still has not lost hope that the young man can get his life on track. Currently, she is trying to prevent authorities from deporting him due to his criminal record.

Individuals who want to hold similar social work careers may want to consider earning a master's degree in social work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that this credential is necessary for school positions in the field.

POSTED BY: ec_admin - May 17th, 2011 at 03:52pm ( 0 )