LEXINGTON, Ky. — Social workers carry a load of responsibilities that often go unnoticed. That’s why March is Social Work Month, which aims to amplify and highlight their nonstop community service.

What You Need To Know

  • March recognizes social workers in the U.S.

  • Kivvi Figgs is a social worker highlighted for her inspiring efforts

  • According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are over 700,000 social workers around the nation

  • The bureau says there are over 60,000 open social work positions annually

Kivvi Figgs is a social worker for Fayette County Public Schools. She helps guide kids dealing with mental or societal issues toward finding a healthy, purpose-driven path. 

“They’re kids. And they need someone to know that someone’s there for them, willing to support them and listen,” Figgs said. “Kids want someone that listens.”

Figgs has been doing this for 28 years in Kentucky. She began her social work career at the Methodist Home for Children and would quickly take to the youth as an advocate within three different schools in FCPS and with their program for nearly 17 years alone.

In addition, she also worked with the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government, and briefly with Scott County Schools.

Figgs has always known it was what she wanted to do, ever since she was a kid. While she said she did not expect to take the route she did, back then it was clear after she helped families at Christmas with her aunt. 

“That is where I was like, ‘you know what? I want to help people. I want to do things to make people feel good about themselves.’ I know I didn’t understand then as much as I understand now how blessed I was and sometimes not just because you have something, but because it’s what we’re supposed to do. We are supposed to help others.” Figgs recalled. 

As someone who not only lives and works in the community and drives downtown and beyond daily, she says she worries about people who stay on the streets.

“As a social worker, I always wonder what the story is about the people that I see sometimes walking,” she said. 

She often takes on the burden of someone working closely with different situations.

Figgs is the program coordinator for the Fayette County juvenile drug treatment court—a year-old program that helps Fayette County Public Schools youth in recovery through the city’s justice system. 

“This is a small part of me as a social worker, but it’s a big part of my heart, because of what I do when working with the youth,” Figgs said. 

She says her efforts and passion for this truly go beyond just an interest in the profession. “I love my role as a social worker and I wouldn’t change it for anything and I plan to retire one day,” she said.

But before she does, Figgs hopes she can help as many folks as possible along the way.

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