Paterson social worker retires after 26 years of service at 4CS of Passaic County
By Jonathan Greene
Published: March 26, 2016
“I’ve worked with people for years but I didn’t know how they felt about me,” said Hazel Clark, retiring 4CS of Passaic County case worker, at a surprise retirement luncheon at the Brownstone.
Clark has worked as a social worker at the nonprofit for the past 26 years. “She has a gentle, loving, kind manner, which was extremely effective,” Stevens Porcher, head of the 4CS of Passaic County, said. “When the lines would get long and the clients sometimes testy, she would patiently and calmly work to address the issue of each person and before you knew it, they would be smiling. “
While working at the nonprofit, Clark went back to school. She obtained a bachelor’s degree later in life setting an example for other social workers and employees at the child care resource and referral agency which provides services to families and children in Passaic County.
The 4CS of Passaic County serves 8,000 families and children, according to the group.
Clark, 77, was recognized at the Friday, March 18, 2016 retirement luncheon with a proclamation from the City of Paterson.
Councilman Alex Mendez presented the proclamation to the septuagenarian in front of 51 of co-workers.
“I was so surprised. This was a very special event,” Clark said.
“She will be greatly missed, but we told her she can come and volunteer any time,” Porcher said.
Pictured (Left to right): 4CS CEO Coleen Steven Porcher, Paterson Councilman-At-Large Alex Mendez, Hazel Clark, 4CS Chief Financial Officer Antonio Di Nizo.