When the history of Social Work is written for Dayton and the Miami Valley, Charles R. Kilby will be there.
It is a pleasure to say a few words about my long-time colleague and friend, Charles Roland Kilby. I worked under him seven years at Day-Mont West Community Mental Health Center and an equal number of years at the Dayton Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital.
When Charles Kilby entered Ohio State University, followed by a Master of Social Work degree at Wayne State, he chose a career path that truly allowed him to make a change in the life of people. He has combined a life-time of service in the profession of social work while taking care of his family.
The profession of social work has certain core values. Among these are service, a belief in social justice, and a belief in the worth and dignity of all human beings which Charles Kilby has aptly displayed.
He has been a "Man for all Seasons" in Social Work. He has been a clinician, administrator, supervisor, mentor and teacher of social work students.
He has made a difference in social policy and program development, administration, leadership, especially in mental health. During his administration as Executive Director of Day-Mont West Community Mental Health Center, he oversaw the writing of a federal grant that brought ten million dollars of mental health services to west Dayton and the western part of Montgomery County. This was the beginning of a new birth
of mental heath services to the community.
He has served the profession faithfully with dedication and devotion. He worked diligently to secure passage of licensing for social workers, and was key in getting State Representative, C. J. McClin's support.
We now know the decade- long outcome of trying to bring licensure to the state as the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapy Board.
During those years, we know as the Civil Rights era, and the struggle to bring diversity and inclusiveness in the professional organization,National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Mr. Kilby was there at the National Conference of Social Workers when the African-Americans walked out and founded the National Association of Black Social Workers, (NABSW), and the Welfare Rights Movement of America at Glide Memorial Church, in San Francisco in 1968.
He has always been there when (NASW) needed him and has served on every committee. He is the recipient of the prestigious Social Worker of the Year Award (1976), and the Life-Time Achievement Award, Ohio Chapter, NASW, Region VII.
On behalf of myself, the countless people you served at Day-Mont West, the Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital, those you mentored, supervised---I than you Mr. Kilby. I also thank your family for allowing you to serve. I wish you well in a well-deserved retirement.
Gladys Turner Finney
St. Margaret's Episcopal Church
July 12, 2014
