As resilient social workers, our resourceful nature helped us face the racial strife and global health pandemic of 2020. We were forward-thinking leaders of social change on the frontlines of schools, community centers, and medical centers. Even when feeling deflated, we found strength driven by our social work values that “strive to end discrimination, oppression, poverty and other forms of social injustices.”
As educators, we must stress the importance of respect for each other and nonviolence—especially during times of heated debate. Maintaining a critical perspective is one of our six social work values.
As social work leaders and mentors, we have a duty to promote the importance of social change. We must advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. Social work is social justice.
In 2019, we launched the School’s first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Scholars Program. We are asking again this year for your help to both keep this program active and to increase the number of students we can support. Our School is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and the work is never done. With your continued support and partnership, we can truly make a difference and move closer to our vision of all individuals, families, & communities utilizing their power to achieve justice, equity, & well-being.
The DEI Scholars Program is designed to support students with a passion for racial and social justice who take on extra responsibilities to assist the School in having difficult conversations, raising awareness, educating our communities and striving to make positive changes in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion. This year we were able to provide support for two DEI Fellows and two DEI scholars. The funds that these students receive are intended to support research time and will help offset income that they might have received from part-time employment.
