Blue Earth County Social Worker wins statewide award

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - Teresa Freitag is a social worker for pregnant women and families, working alongside OB-GYN physicians to provide a safe space and resources for clients.

Freitag said she works “to empower them through education and skill building and support as they get ready for their new baby. We just take a look at where their life is currently and where they would like it to be when their baby is born.”

Sometimes those journeys can be less than ideal for expecting mothers.

“I worked with patients who are homeless and living in their cars, which is not a good thing in the middle of winter,” Freitag said. “We’ve had to help them find permanent stable housing they can afford.”

She also deals with expecting mothers that are struggling internally to provide the best environment for a healthy baby.

Freitag said, “I’ve worked with folks who struggle with mental illness or chemical dependency. We wrap them in those services as well, making sure that they’re supported in their mental health and they’re able to stay sober.”

OB-GYN physician Carla Goerish says patients don’t open up as well to physicians, but Freitag is able to hold that safe space for them.

“Sometimes they just don’t talk about them [to us]. So, having her available in our department makes it a part of the services available to them,” Goerish explained.

While receiving the award is an honor for Freitag, it’s really the meaningful role she plays in women’s lives that keeps her going.

Freitag said, “Once you start to listen to people, and ask questions about that, people open up and they become empowered and I think that is just an amazing thing to watch.”

Freitag wants to inspire people to extend a helping hand or a listening ear to help those around them.

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